TMCnews Featured Article

The Gartner Security and Risk Management Summit 2010 is scheduled to be held in June 21 - 23, 2010. Using the summit as a platform, Verizon Business, which will be available at Booth No. 6 during this period has undertaken the task of addressing security issues in the cloud by offering the audience some tips to ensure that their data and networks are not compromised.

 

There is no doubt that there is a growing awareness among cloud users about the tangible benefits of cloud computing. Among other things, the on-demand provisioning allows businesses to increase efficiency and control IT costs.

 

In spite of this, widespread adopting of cloud solutions do not seem to be in the offing. The obvious hurdle is security. Industry experts believe that many enterprises are still very concerned about data integrity, recovery and privacy of data, and regulatory compliance in a cloud environment.

 

Verizon (News - Alert) business will try to address these issues by offering some guidelines to enterprises while moving to the cloud.

 

According to Verizon Business (News - Alert), evaluation of goals should be the first step that any enterprise takes before moving to the cloud. Once the business goals are defined, a risk-benefit analysis should be performed to determine whether such a move to the cloud is appropriate. While the benefits achieved in terms of time, cost and capital expenditure are undeniable, the company should consider the scenarios of what would happen if there is a security breach, and what processes are likely to be jeopardized. 

 

Once the business is committed to the cloud model, due diligence in terms of choosing which model to be deployed is necessary. Whether the enterprise chooses a public, private or a hybrid model would depend on the business' requirements.

 

While choosing a service provider, care should be taken to select a partner who is associated with both IT and security services. Risk mitigation should be a part of the provider's security practice, and robust service-performance assurance coupled with integrated IT, security and network services should be an inherent part of their services.

 

Neutral third parties can provide guidance on picking a partner. The Cloud Security Alliance, which promotes the use of best practices for securing the cloud, offers a list of corporate members.

 

According to the Cloud Security Alliance, the top security threat associated with the cloud is data loss and leakage. As such, how well the provider protects sensitive data is paramount. When evaluating a provider, not only would Verizon consider it necessary to analyze the company's ability to deliver the same types of control usually done in-house, but verification that the provider engages in safe data handling with documented back up availability and destruction should also be carried out.

 

A hybrid security model offers a mix of services in the cloud and on premises. It thus minimizes the risk of security breach and loss of data. Compliance initiatives must be met or else the investment in cloud and focus on security will be rendered useless.

 

Additionally, many regulations, such as the PCI (News - Alert) Data Security Standard, include best practices that enhance a company's security posture. Communication of relevant regulations to the cloud provider, and working with the provider to facilitate compliance are absolutely essential.

 

'Cloud computing offers businesses so many tangible benefits that it's a shame to see security fears inhibiting adoption of the technology,' Peter Tippett (News - Alert), vice president of technology and innovation at Verizon Business, said.

 

Tippet continued to add that while the security concerns were valid, the prescription to alleviate them exists.Simple security actions, such as performing due diligence and embracing risk management, have an enormous impact when done consistently.

 

A leader in the secure delivery of cloud-based IT services, Verizon relies on the company's global IP infrastructure and data centers to helps customers efficiently manage on-demand computing resources, including server, network and storage capacity.

 

Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications combines professional expertise with one of the world's most connected IP networks to deliver award-winning communications, IT, information security and network solutions.

 

Life Technologies needed to consolidate its various regional communications networks and software platforms, and improve its application performance. To accomplish this, the global provider of biotechnology research tools chose Verizon Business and entered into a three-year agreement whereby Verizon will deploy an integrated managed IT and networking solution, which will also position the company for continued rapid growth.