Tech Connect - Cloud Computing 2010

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In addition to standard security
procedures, StormSource also provides
security related to failover and federal
regulations. One action is redundant servers
and off-site backups, which ensure that
important client data is maintained and
secured should a failure occur.

All businesses that utilize cloud-computing technology—even for simple tasks like accessing e-mail—risk exposure to security threats. To help repel these threats, most implement some type of protection, even as simple as anti-virus software installed on every office and home computer.

Companies that provide cloud-based software face even more unique challenges. Whether they provide a Software as a Service (SaaS) application, a Platform as a Service (PaaS) package or an Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) tool, these groups must include state-of-the-art security to assure current and prospective clients that their data will be safe. Understandably, uneasiness may exist among users of these cloud-based systems; however, the level of security provided by most cloud-computing companies exceeds that found at most other businesses.

StormSource knows well what’s at stake. But as with many new (and sometimes established) technologies, some firms still will have lingering doubts regarding reliability and safety precautions. Most cloud-computing service providers recognize this and go above and beyond to ensure their clients’ data remains safe.

It’s important to choose a vendor that has a transparent and engaging attitude to working with your organization with regard to security due diligence. Make sure you discuss and investigate the following when choosing a cloud partner:

Investigative Support: Can you get a contractual commitment to support specific forms of investigation?

Long-term viability: What happens to your data in the event the cloud provider is acquired or goes out of business?

Back to Basics

Without security embedded into underlying technology that supports these new models, businesses may be setting themselves up for a fall. According to the Worldwide State of the Endpoint Survey 2010, more than

Regulatory Compliance: You are responsible for the security and integrity of your data. How will you prove compliance with your cloud partner?

Recovery: What will happen to your data and service in case of a disaster?

Understand Multi-tenancy

The issue of security also has impacted the business model of many cloud-based providers, who are reexamining their target markets. Larger companies and organizations, which historically have been at the top of many prospective client lists, have tightened up their vendor security and liability requirements. This can include requiring business associate agreements and modifications to a provider’s standard terms and conditions, both fairly risky endeavors. Because of this, many cloud-service companies now focus primarily on smaller businesses and organizations, whose security requirements fit more in line with their overall operations.

75 percent of IT security and operations professionals expect the use of cloud computing to increase in organizations.

It is imperative that organizations do the basics: minimize administrative privilege, support enforcement of the rule of least privilege, and absolutely stay on top of vendor patches.

While many third-party cloud vendors have security best practices in place, organizations still need to be mindful that it is only patch management for the vendor’s software components. Those organizations are still responsible for keeping your end of the bargain well maintained. There is no better preventative measure than practicing security basics for this.

If choosing a good vendor is akin to picking a respectable landlord, then the concept of multi-tenancy is really about watching out for bad neighbors. As companies migrate to cloud models for their IT systems, they need to remember that they are sharing much of the underlying cloud infrastructure with other neighbors just like a high-rise apartment building.

Serious Business

Like cloud-computing businesses nationwide, Arizona technology firms take Web security seriously. “Security is of the utmost importance to our company, and the measures we’ve implemented ensure that our clients’ valuable information is kept safe,” says Bob La Loggia, CEO and founder of StormSource Software in Scottsdale.

“Advancements in technology allow cloud-
computing businesses to provide their
services in a secure environment.”
A joint study by RSA, The Security
Division of EMC, and IDG Research Services
interviewed 100 security executives at
companies with revenues of $1 billion or
more. Of these executives, close to half said
they either have enterprise applications or
business processes running in the cloud or
will begin migration in the next year. At the
same time, two-thirds don’t have a security
strategy for cloud computing, a worrying
statistic for those with such a significant
revenue amount.

Choose vendors wisely

As a SaaS provider of online appointment-scheduling software Appointment-Plus, the company helps its clients set thousands of appointments each day. Included in these scheduling transactions is vital contact information, such as addresses, phone numbers and e-mail. Housing this information—along with information on the client itself—are secured server databases.

When adopting cloud models, it’s necessary to think of prospective cloud vendors as partners or extensions to your business. While most cloud vendors have well-documented service level agreements and security best practices, a business cannot actually defer regulatory and compliance responsibility to the cloud vendor. In essence, a third party will be managing much of the IT infrastructure and systems, but an organization will be held responsible for any security breaches or gaps in compliance controls.

For example, a cloud vendor might have done its due diligence maintaining its servers. It is exemplary at updating its patches on time, keeping services securely configured and physically locking down its data centers. Meanwhile, 99 of out 100 of its customers (or your neighbors) also do their bit in keeping their services up-to-date and security configured. But there is always one customer that lags behind, leaving its environment and applications un-patched and poorly configured. That one tiny chink in the armor is enough to allow hackers to take over the entire system and not only own the bad neighbor’s machine, but potentially of the innocent bystander’s machines as well.

Cloud computing is hugely beneficial for the enterprise and while still evolving, will be around for the long haul. It is therefore vital that those who have chosen to embrace it look to adopting a long term security strategy or risk falling short. Although economically viable, cloud computing may turn into a very expensive venture for those that neglect to implement and maintain a solid security practice for their virtual environment.