5 steps to preventing data loss in the cloud

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Anyone operating in the enterprise today has come in contact with the cloud in some form. But, despite the ubiquitous nature of the technology, not all users are as well versed in cloud best practices as they need to be in order to prevent data loss. Security continues to lead the pack with it comes to CIOs’ concerns about cloud computing despite the fact that the technology has been around for nearly a decade already. The online threat landscape has grown more dangerous and many companies are at a loss as to how to improve security. For any enterprise looking for a way to use the cloud safely and prevent data loss, here are five basic tips:

1: Perform a cloud risk assessment
The main goal of this process is for companies to take an inventory of all the cloud applications in use and find where their data is actually being stored within the network. With that information in hand, IT decision-makers can develop an ‘as is’ cloud assessment and accurately understand what’s really going on. After inventory has been completed, the enterprise network should be surveyed to identify the company’s current cloud footprint and a data flow map should be created. Once applications are cataloged and all data is accounted for, each program should be given a risk score that takes into account the level of trust the organization has for the service and process.

2: Find any gaps between perceived security and actual security
This step helps businesses find any discrepancies between regulatory compliance needs – like PCI or HIPAA – and what is actually going on in the network. Discovering what areas have the biggest gaps can help decision-makers find the best way to address the issue and improve enterprise compliance.

There are a few simple steps every company can take to make their cloud safer.There are a few simple steps every company can take to make their cloud deployment safer.

3: Build a plan to combat shadow IT
One of the biggest cloud security issues facing companies today is shadow IT, or employees using unapproved programs for work purposes. To address this problem, organizations should take the data gathered during the first two steps and use it to create an action plan. Consulting with legal, security and procurement specialists can be beneficial during this process as well.

4: Choose a cloud framework to deploy
Once a comprehensive analysis of the enterprise’s needs has been done, it’s time to find a cloud platform that will successfully meet those demands. First, IT executives have to decide between a public, private or hybrid environment and then look for a service provider that offers the reliability, features and client service necessary to keep operations up and running smoothly.

” Look for a service provider that offers the necessary reliability, features and client service.”

5: Determine and implement cloud best practices
There are specific policies that each company will need to create on its own in order to accommodate and protect business functions, but there are other, more general recommendations that apply to anyone using the cloud. In order to get started when creating enterprise best practices, the Cloud Security Alliance offers a list of common policies  and the Cloud Best Practices Network provides case studies to help build better long term strategies.

3 reasons skeptics don't like the cloud, and why they're wrong

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After a long period of slow growth, it appears as though this year is poised to become a turning point for the cloud computing industry. According to estimates by research firm Markets and Markets, the global cloud market is expected to be worth more than $121 billion by the end of 2015.

The industry’s rise is hardly surprising, as an increasing number of organizations have begun to turn to the cloud as a reliable alternative for traditional computing processes. The growing number of cloud-based services available are helping people to more effectively manage their lives and businesses, fueling the technology’s popularity. Cloud computing is gaining such a foothold that research firm Gartner has even gone so far as to suggest that traditional IT sourcing will be replaced by cloud office systems before the end of the year.

“Gartner analysts believe traditional IT sourcing will be replaced by cloud office systems before 2016.”

Despite cloud’s rapid rise, however, there are still some segments of the enterprise that are wary of the technology – or just change in general. Some companies, especially smaller organizations without the budget to hire extensive IT departments, prefer to stick with that they know, choosing to continue using outdated systems like Windows XP and trusting their business growth to legacy CRM software. This reluctance can make sense in theory – the enterprise already owns the license to the old software and knows where its data is stored – but in practice these companies are letting fear of change and modernization get in the way of business development.

Cloud skeptics have some legitimate concerns about transitioning to the technology, but all of their fears about cloud computing can be easily calmed.

Some companies continue to be skeptical about the cloud. Some companies continue to be skeptical about the cloud.

Data security
One of the biggest concerns businesses have about utilizing the cloud is the security of sensitive enterprise information. Security worries continue to be the most common barrier to adoption of the cloud, according to a recent report by tax advisory firm KPMG. More than half of business decision-makers have cited data loss and privacy as a major reason for hesitation. While security in the cloud is something all companies should be concerned about, the question is more of whether an organization’s service provider is safe and less about if the cloud itself is reliable. Reputable vendors offer security measures that are likely stronger than what an enterprise could deliver within its own budget, and cloud providers employ IT professionals who are solely focused on protecting sensitive information in cloud environments.

Downtime
Another frequent criticism of the cloud is that it forces businesses to rely too heavily on the Internet to complete processes and serve clients. If a system were to suffer a disruptive event, even a brief one, service would slow down dramatically and sales could be lost. This is a very real concern for any company utilizing the Internet, not just those relying on the cloud. However, trusted service providers take precautions to assure redundancy during an outage and most will automatically resync when systems come back online. Even on-premises solutions can run into service problems, but when they occur within a cloud environment there is a team of trained technicians ready to fix the problem as soon as possible, which isn’t always the case with on-site systems.

Return on investment
Many enterprise IT decision-makers are still shying away from cloud platforms because they think the ROI won’t be substantial enough to cover the total cost of ownership. This thinking becomes even more engrained for companies that already own an on-premises system that seemingly meet their needs. This argument, though rooted around a valid consideration, is surprising in light of how many organizations have transitioned to cloud environments as a way to save money.

A variable that many businesses don’t consider is that cloud providers frequently offer automatic updates, ensuring systems stay ahead of security vulnerabilities and are always up-to-date with the latest features. Licensing agreements for on-premises software often does not come with the same guarantee, creating frequent, unplanned costs. If a software vendor runs into problems or a product is discontinued, a company can waste thousands of dollars in licensing for a system that will never be updated or receive service again. If the same scenario were to take place with a cloud system, an organization could simply cancel your subscription and find a new product.

White House making strides to increase public access to broadband Internet

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The federal government has been very concerned with the Internet recently. From cybersecurity taking center stage during this year's State of the Union address to the Federal Communications Commission making historic rules protecting net neutrality, Washington has cyberspace on its mind – and for good reason. The Internet is everywhere and is used by billions of people everyday. It has changed the way people work, play, learn and communicate, but for some reason there are still areas of even the most developed countries that don't have access to reliable Internet service. However, with so much attention being paid to online activities recently, a variety of organizations are working together to change that, at least in the U.S.

" Only 29% of Americans are able to choose from more than one service provider at 25 Mbps."

According to the most recent data from the Department of Commerce, 98 percent of Americans are now able to access 4G wireless broadband service, achieving a goal set by the Obama administration two years earlier than anticipated. However, information from the FCC paints a slightly different picture. A report from the agency indicated that over 50 million Americans are not able to purchase a wired broadband connection capable of download speeds of 25 Mbps, which has been defined by the FCC as the minimum for adequate broadband service. On top of that, only 29 percent of Americans are able to choose from more than one service provider at the minimum broadband speed.

Increased Internet access offers paths to success
The widespread availability of high-speed Internet has been an important cause for the president since he took office in 2009, and he often makes the case that abundant Internet access, as well as education in the STEM fields, is critical to the economic future of the country. Last week Obama praised the progress that has been made by the country's broadband providers to increase the presence of high-speed wireless service across the nation, but acknowledged there was work yet to be done. In response, the president announced the creation of a new inter-agency panel that will be tasked with eliminating regulatory barriers to further deployment even more.

The newly formed Broadband Opportunity Council will be made up of representatives from more than two dozen government departments and agencies. The council is being billed as a coordinated effort among government entities to work alongside the private sector in order to develop a policy environment that enables investment in high-speed networks. The group will be co-chaired by the U.S. Departments of Commerce and Agriculture and is expected to report back to the president within 150 days with steps each agency can take to advance the council's goals. 

"Access to high-speed broadband is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity for American families, businesses, and consumers," Obama said. "The federal government has an important role to play in developing coordinated policies to promote broadband deployment and adoption, including promoting best practices, breaking down regulatory barriers, and encouraging further investment."

The government is taking major steps to improve access to high-speed Internet across the country.The government is taking major steps to improve access to high-speed Internet across the country.

Breaking down barriers to access
Along with creating the BOC, Obama is also urging the FCC to strike down state laws which prevent communities from building or expanding their own 1-gigabit-per-second networks. These types of networks offer download speeds nearly 100 times faster than conventional connections and can be a major resource to rural communities.

"Over the last several years, dozens of cities have accelerated the deployment of world-leading broadband networks by reforming local policies that add unnecessary costs to construction," said Blair Levin, the man behind the FCC's efforts to write the 2010 National Broadband Plan. "It's great, as called for in the National Broadband Plan, that federal agencies are joining the movement to reform policies to help American communities have the best broadband in the world."

Businesses look toward converged infrastructures to boost data center performance

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As collecting and storing data becomes an increasingly critical part of the enterprise, businesses are starting to pay more attention to the infrastructure needed to handle such key workloads. In order to ensure reliable operations with such an influx of information, data center operators are turning to a variety of innovative methods to improve data handling while lowering costs. One of the most popular of these methods is convergence.

Practically every major cloud platform provider now offers some type of converged infrastructure, and some are even going so far as to realign their business models to work more effectively with the concept. HP is one such company that is making major strides toward accepting convergence architecture. The tech giant is looking to combine blade servers and its CI division to increase the speed of development and provide channel partners with more integrated solutions that help deployment and integration processes happen more quickly.

Convergence is the way of the future for <a data-cke-saved-href=Convergence is the way of the future for data center operations.

Changes to networking essential for improved data management
When talking about a converged infrastructure, the key element is networking. Server and storage components function basically the same in a converged solution as they would traditionally, but they work in closer proximity to one another. However, as convergence gains more popularity among service providers, networking will evolve to become more of a fabric architecture, according to Information Age contributor Ben Rossi. This change will bring about a variety of challenges.

"As convergence gains more popularity, networking will have to evolve."

Providers will have to take a different approach to virtual networking. Provisioning and setup may be possible with only a simple overlay, but such a solution may inhibit performance as scale increases. A high degree of application awareness will also be necessary to optimize performance in key workloads, meaning simple automation won't be enough to deliver an optimal user experience. In order to address this issue, converged platforms will have to be provisioned to address specific workloads and support an overarching, integrated architecture that allows for simplified migration and data connectivity.

One of the biggest mistakes enterprises make when changing their internal IT infrastructure is trying to do all of the work themselves despite a lack of training and expertise. In order to avoid this common problem, enterprise decision-makers should work alongside a trusted service provider to ensure a successful implementation. By working together with a reliable industry partner, companies can create a customized infrastructure that works for them.

Top 4 benefits of deploying enterprise cloud services

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By now, most companies have been told that they can achieve numerous benefits by moving to the cloud. But it seems that newer businesses are more likely to understand the specific advantages that they can experience with the technology, whereas older, more established organizations are still hesitant to adopt the cloud because they are unaware of the individual benefits they will receive. The recent AT&T Small Business Tech Poll found that 51 percent of companies less than two years old utilize cloud services, while just 40 percent of businesses that have been running for 11 years or more employ the cloud in some capacity.

Older companies won't be able to wait much longer before adopting the cloud without getting left behind by their competition. Here are four of the biggest benefits enterprises can realize by deploying the cloud:

1) Back up and store data
Cloud storage services and data backup are two of the most popular uses of the technology among businesses. According to the AT&T poll, 63 percent of respondents who already use the cloud relied on these types of services. Utilizing online backup and storage features helps protect organizations from a variety of threats that can lead to disruptions in access or network downtime, such as malware infections and natural disasters. Working with a trusted service provider increases this protection even further, as they will often store client data on multiple servers so if one goes down, the others retain the necessary availability.

2) Instant computing power
One of the benefits that has made the cloud an ubiquitous technology is the ability to access computing resources on demand. This has made the cloud the platform of choice for many organizations looking to test new applications without making a large upfront investment. The cloud also makes it very simple for businesses to scale their service, easily accommodating surges in demand. If the new application that's been developed turns out to be a much bigger hit than anticipated, enterprises can immediately increase service without having to buy new servers that will sit unused once demand dissipates. 

3) Access to business software
After backup and storage services, the second most frequently used feature of the cloud is the ability to access versions of boxed software online. This includes the availability of programs for business processes like bookkeeping, word processing and contact management. The AT&T poll found that 46 percent of small businesses that take advantage of the cloud do so to access productivity tools online. Software based in the cloud allows organizations to eliminate licensing fees and improves mobility by enabling employees to access the necessary software from any Internet-connected device. Updates are made available automatically, increasing security and providing users with the latest features with no additional hassle.

4) Improve collaboration
Many organizations also find the cloud useful in enabling employees to work from home more effectively. A growing number of companies have a workforce that is dispersed throughout multiple locations, and collaborating between those different places can be difficult for colleagues without the appropriate tools. The cloud makes it easy to access file-sharing services and communication features so work can be edited in real time while co-workers have a conversation about the changes being made.

Uncovering the hidden benefits of the cloud

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At this point, you'd be hard pressed to find an enterprise decision-maker who wasn't familiar with the cloud or the benefits that come along with it. Countless experts and industry writers have espoused the virtues of cloud computing, from improved scalability to reduced costs. But there are a number of other advantages that are rarely discussed when talking about moving to the cloud, and they are just as relevant if not more so to today's businesses.

Flexibility
When most people talk about flexibility in relation to cloud computing, they're talking about the ability to be more mobile and complete work from anywhere. And while that is offered by the cloud, this type of flexibility has more to do with allocating resources and easily changing business strategies. The cloud is able to free up time and resources, enabling organizations to create and test out new products and resources with minimal upfront investments. This is made possible by providing the necessary amount of on-demand resources and helping enterprises create new configurations in a shorter amount of time.

Globalization
One of the untapped benefits of cloud computing is the ability to more easily and effectively enter new markets, even those halfway around the world. Deploying a workforce to another country used to be incredibly difficult, but with the cloud the entire staff can access the same files and data no matter where they're located. With increased global accessibility, delays are eliminated, miscommunications are reduced and collaboration is increased, making it much easier to expand a company.

Energy Savings
This is perhaps the best kept secret in technology. So many companies focus on the cost benefits of cloud storage services that they never mention that there are environmental advantages as well. The energy savings associated with cloud computing can come from a variety of places. Fewer machines are needed, and the remaining machines can be run more efficiently with higher utilization rates. Virtualization offers a reduction in the amount of equipment and energy necessary to run an operation, dramatically decreasing a business' carbon footprint.

How the cloud is like PCs: An IT history lesson

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Technology has always played a role in creating freedom within an organization, either by breaking down boundaries or by providing an avenue through which to reach new horizons. For a long time, the most innovative force in enterprise technology was the computer. When the first PC was introduced, it changed everything by making real computing power affordable and available to businesses and individual employees. The analysis made possible by PCs resulted in increased operating efficiency, faster innovation and dramatically improved client experiences. While computers are still the main focus of every organization, they no longer driving the freedom of innovation they once did. Cloud computing, however, has taken up the mantle, and has changed the face of enterprise IT in much the same way PCs did when they were first introduced. Businesses can learn from their own IT history and put the cloud to work for them the way they did with PCs in the following three ways:

“Cloud computing has changed the face of enterprise IT.”

1) Embrace the freedom to build
One of the reasons PCs became so popular so quickly was because they offered employees the ability to build applications, which freed them from the practical constraints of the IT department. Each user was able to pursue his or her own ideas independently and follow the ones that would make the biggest difference to the company. Any technology that expands a user’s possibilities is unstoppable, and cloud enables the same freedom as PCs before it.

Before the cloud arrived, innovative employees who wanted to create a new application to improve operating procedures had to go through an endless series of steps to get approval before anything could move forward. Now the cloud puts a massive number of resources right at users’ fingertips, allowing them to create, test and distribute programs that may never have gotten made otherwise.

The cloud is poised to change the enterprise the same way PCs did in the '80s.The cloud is poised to change the enterprise the same way PCs did in the ’80s.

2) Focus on the value of data
One of the biggest benefits PCs offered businesses in the ’80s and ’90s was the ability to gather and use data at a level previously unheard of. Now, the cloud offers businesses a similar opportunity. Not only can massive amounts of data be created through countless apps and services, but an even greater amount can be collected and analyzed through those same features to offer insights into business processes and operations.

As a recent Forbes article noted, “This changes the way IT practitioners and leaders need to think about IT. Now it’s not just about building and running data centers. It’s about marshaling tools and applications that acquire, transform, apply and protect the data that runs the organization.”

3) Recognize the power to disrupt
After PCs crashed onto the tech scene in the early ’80s, network storage systems followed closely behind. After that, PC technology moved into the data center and created even more innovations. PCs quickly became a dominate force in the data center, fundamentally changing the economics of how they were built and operated. Now cloud is here to usher in the next wave of data center disruption.

Cloud is poised to create a deep and lasting impact on the future of IT. Hybrid cloud especially is becoming a defining trend. The majority of enterprises around the world are already using multiple cloud environments for at least part of their IT workloads, changing the way people think about data.

The bottom line is that the cloud won’t be going anywhere anytime soon, and organizations would do well to look at the examples set by earlier disruptive technologies and apply them now to make the most out of their technological investments.

Increased use of technology causing changes in the enterprise

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A recent study by management consulting and technology services firm Accenture revealed that a growing number of enterprise decision-makers are relying more heavily on technology to make changes in their business.

“90% of senior decision-makers expect technology to transform their companies.”

According to the report – which surveyed nearly 2,000 senior decision-makers in 15 countries – 90 percent of respondents expect digital technologies to transform their companies. At the same time, 87 percent of participants said their organization had made significant inroads to adopting digital technologies within the last 12 months.

While enterprise technology is useful for numerous reasons, one of the key drivers for adoption was the ability to increase mobility. When participants were asked which technologies their companies had already successfully adopted, nearly two-thirds responded with mobility.

A variety of benefits can be realized with the adoption of digital technologies, but one of the most widely reported was the creation of new revenue opportunities, with 48 percent of respondents experiencing that advantage. Another 46 percent reported faster time to market for products and services, and 45 percent said they were now able to provide more rapid responses to client demands.

As technology becomes a more essential part of the enterprise, organizations are shifting their focus.As technology becomes a more essential part of the enterprise, organizations are shifting their focus.

Use of technology causing companies to restructure 
Businesses are beginning to completely restructure their departments to make the best use of technology possible, as well as to ensure the most beneficial decisions are being made. The report found that 83 percent of organizations have implemented a holistic strategy and a central team to oversee the implementation and management of new technologies. Another 80 percent of companies have appointed a chief digital officer to help with large-scale adoption and ensure the technology being employed is being used in the best way.

“The benefits of digital technology are not just being talked about anymore, but are being put into action as organizations are reshaping themselves to take advantage,” said Jim Bailey, global managing director for Accenture Mobility. “A vast majority of respondents said their business had made significant inroads in using digital technologies over the past year – to grow their client base and or to enhance their overall enterprise efficiency – but acknowledged there is still some way to go.”

One of the most reliable ways for businesses to ensure a smooth and successful adoption of new technological infrastructure is to partner with a trusted service provider. An organization like ISG Technology is able to offer decades of industry experience to create a customized program that will work for each individual business. ISG enables companies to access the support and network capacity necessary for a successful deployment.

All U.S. Marine Corp barracks to be equipped with Wi-Fi by end of the year

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The United States Marine Corps. announced this month that it will be completing an Internet installation initiative by the end of the year, equipping barracks at bases around the world with wireless service. 

As part of an agreement with Marine Corps Non-Appropriated Fund Business and Support Services Division and Army and Air Force Support Services, enlisted barracks will be outfitted with Wi-Fi service by January 2016. Bachelor quarters for soldiers and airmen will also be equipped with the new Wi-Fi connection. Before the project was initiated, Internet service in marine facilities varied from location to location, with many barracks only offering Wi-Fi in common and recreation areas.

During a House Appropriations Committee hearing on quality of life in the military, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Ronald Green noted that access to the Internet is a necessary part of everyday life.

"[Wi-Fi for Marines is] important because of where we are in society today," said Green. "Today all the students in all the universities have Wi-Fi, most homes have Wi-Fi, so we wanted Marines and our sailors to be up-to-date in technology. Family members living off post that are married and family members living in base housing have Wi-Fi, so we say that single Marines should live at the same standard."

Keeping Marines connected to home
The project will offer Marines a tiered service with a variety of price points and features. A basic package will provide servicemen with speeds of 128 kilobits per second free of charge. For an additional fee, users can opt into a variety of upgraded Internet and TV packages. Hourly, daily and weekly payment options will also be made available.

Once the rollout is complete, Marines who have signed up for accounts will be able to connect to more than 1 million hotspots around the world as well as their barrack locations. There are nearly 500 barracks currently equipped with Wi-Fi service, according to Chief Warrant Officer 3 Wesley Nelson, including the majority of facilities within the continental U.S. and Hawaii. Internet capabilities will periodically be installed in the remaining 229 barracks, with all facilities equipped with Wi-Fi by the end of the year.

"Offering a consistent Internet service allows Marines to stay connected to family," Nelson said. "Having one provider Marine Corps-wide eliminates the need to change providers when moving to a new command."

CIOs look to find a balance between tech innovations, enterprise security

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With technology playing a much more integral part in the enterprise, the role of the CIO has become more complicated in recent years. A variety of factors that previously didn’t affect the position are now shaping everyday processes, and there is an increasing degree of change continuously facing IT staff. According to the 14th Annual State of the CIO survey conducted by CIO Magazine, 91 percent of CIOs say the role has gotten more challenging recently, and 74 percent say it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a balance between business innovation and operational excellence.

The rising frequency of data breaches have put a premium on strict security practices to protect critical infrastructure. But, at the same time, CIOs must be able to focus on just a few key priorities that will help to propel their organizations forward. In order to achieve this balance, there are a few main technology drivers that CIOs look to for guidance on IT priorities: cloud computing, big data analytics, enterprise mobility and data centers.

In many cases, the advantages of multiple areas are being combined to create solutions that benefit companies even more. Business continuity/disaster recovery and security will always be – or should always be, at least – a top priority for businesses, but innovations in cloud computing and data center design are helping to improve these processes by increasing overall security and enhancing recovery efforts so network intrusions cause as little disruption as possible.

Big data analytics and enterprise mobility are also teaming up to provide operational insights that were previously unavailable to most organizations. In the modern enterprise, data serves as a new form of currency, and the more information businesses can get out of their data, the richer they will become. Practically every company has some form of mobility or bring-your-own-device program by now, and many organizations also offer a mobile application for employees and clients to access information on the go. The data created through those programs is proving invaluable to enterprises hoping to learn more about their client base and streamline operating procedures.

Enterprises are experiencing numerous benefits with new technologies. Enterprises are experiencing numerous benefits with new technologies.

Tech innovations offer benefits to companies, but expertise is lacking
While these areas of IT are becoming the most important for many businesses, they are also some of the categories in which many CIOs are seeing skills shortages. According to the State of the CIO survey, big data, security and mobile technologies are three of the top five areas in which businesses are finding it difficult to find qualified candidates. The study also found that 56 percent of CIOs believe they will experience an IT skills shortage over the next year.

“ISG Technology offers expertise to help companies implement solutions right for them.”

In order to ensure they are able to experience the benefits of these technologies despite a lack of IT talent, many businesses are turning to third party service providers to receive the help they need. Organizations like ISG Technology offer expertise in data center management, security, enterprise mobility and cloud computing and can help companies implement solutions that are right for them quickly and conveniently.