Vigilant Software launches a practical guide to cost-effective risk management
/EINPresswire.com/ Vigilant Software, the one-stop shop for anything to do with risk assessment, treatment and risk management, helps companies cost-effectively manage information without putting it at risk in the cloud computing environment.
'Cloud computing' is the term given to the application of multiple sever computers via a digital network as if they were on one computer. The 'cloud' itself is a virtualisation of resources - networks, servers, applications, data storage and services - which the end user has on-demand access to.
Some of the benefits of cloud computing (CC) include:
• Access to a huge range of applications without having to download or install anything;
• Applications can be accessed from any computer, anywhere in the world;
• Users can avoid expenditure on hardware and software; only using what they need;
• Companies can share resources in one place;
• Consumption is billed as a utility with minimal upfront costs;
• Scalability via on-demand resources;
• Energy saving via consolidating workloads on high-performance processors.
The main risks of CC include:
• Users do not physically possess storage of their own data, which leaves the responsibility and control of data storage with the provider;
• Users could become dependent upon the cloud computing provider
• With data held externally, business continuity and disaster recovery are in the hands of the provider;
• Data migration issues when changing cloud provider;
• What happens if your cloud provider goes out of business?
All of the above should be taken into account before moving to the cloud.
Vigilant's latest book, 'Above the Clouds: Managing Risk in the World of Cloud Computing' explains in more detail the benefits of adopting this approach (www.vigilantsoftware.co.uk/product/1674.aspx.
Kevin T. McDonald, Senior Information Technology Analyst and Cloud Strategist for ICF International Inc and the author of the book, challenges the misconception of cloud computing offering weaker data protection that an in-house server. He supports his argument with an in-depth analysis of the service and explains that the cloud can help to defend an organisation from IT security threats such as denial-of-service attacks, viruses and worms.
The risk management process begins when choosing a service provider. McDonald says, "You need to be confident that your business information will be secure. You need to make sure you carry out due diligence on the service provider before you entrust this firm with your vital data. The challenge for procurement professionals is determining what questions to ask, what assurances should be in the contracts and how much risk is being assumed when a service is moved to the 'cloud'."
Furthermore, by outsourcing rarely-needed IT tasks and functions CC allows IT staff to focus on core work. Additionally, rather than having an IT team spend valuable time on monitoring the market for new products, and then facing the challenges of integrating those products with an organisation, cloud computing means that up-to-date software suites are painlessly introduced across a company 'from above' by the service provider.
Alan Calder, CEO of Vigilant Software, comments, "Cloud computing is not a new and frightening idea. If you have a Google Mail account, for example, you will already be using the concept. Your emails are stored externally and you can read them wherever you go, with a laptop, BlackBerry or similar device." He also adds, "Cloud computing is on many people's radars this year, not least because of the attractions to budget-conscious and performance-orientated businesses. There are risks, however, and managing those risks is core to strategic success. It's vital, therefore, to read this book early when thinking about the options presented by cloud computing, as well as continuing to consult the book when implementing the process."
'Above the Clouds: Managing Risk in the World of Cloud Computing' (www.vigilantsoftware.co.uk/product/1674.aspx) acts a primer and strategic guide to identify cloud computing best practices and associated risks, and reduce the latter to acceptable levels. From software as a service (SaaS) to replacing the entire IT infrastructure, the author serves as an educator, guide and strategist, from runway to getting the organisation 'above the clouds'. Valuable tips on how to choose your provider of cloud services are also covered in this book.
'Above the Clouds: Managing Risk in the World of Cloud Computing' is available in an eBook format for immediate download. The price is £39.95 or $78.30 (www.vigilantsoftware.co.uk/product/1674.aspx).
Purchasing can be carried out online through the website with download immediately on completion of checkout. Go to Vigilant software website (www.vigilantsoftware.co.uk) to acquire a copy of this unique guide to managing risk in cloud computing.
- Ends -
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Dominika Jankowska
Internet Marketing Executive
+44 (0) 1353 771044
djankowska@itgovernance.co.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
Vigilant Software Ltd is part of the IT Governance group of companies and is the specialist ISO27001 risk assessment company. It specialises in developing and deploying tools that help organisations manage information security risk in compliance with industry leading standards such as ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27005. Its customer base spans Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Asia. More information is available at www.vigilantsoftware.co.uk.
'Cloud computing' is the term given to the application of multiple sever computers via a digital network as if they were on one computer. The 'cloud' itself is a virtualisation of resources - networks, servers, applications, data storage and services - which the end user has on-demand access to.
Some of the benefits of cloud computing (CC) include:
• Access to a huge range of applications without having to download or install anything;
• Applications can be accessed from any computer, anywhere in the world;
• Users can avoid expenditure on hardware and software; only using what they need;
• Companies can share resources in one place;
• Consumption is billed as a utility with minimal upfront costs;
• Scalability via on-demand resources;
• Energy saving via consolidating workloads on high-performance processors.
The main risks of CC include:
• Users do not physically possess storage of their own data, which leaves the responsibility and control of data storage with the provider;
• Users could become dependent upon the cloud computing provider
• With data held externally, business continuity and disaster recovery are in the hands of the provider;
• Data migration issues when changing cloud provider;
• What happens if your cloud provider goes out of business?
All of the above should be taken into account before moving to the cloud.
Vigilant's latest book, 'Above the Clouds: Managing Risk in the World of Cloud Computing' explains in more detail the benefits of adopting this approach (www.vigilantsoftware.co.uk/product/1674.aspx.
Kevin T. McDonald, Senior Information Technology Analyst and Cloud Strategist for ICF International Inc and the author of the book, challenges the misconception of cloud computing offering weaker data protection that an in-house server. He supports his argument with an in-depth analysis of the service and explains that the cloud can help to defend an organisation from IT security threats such as denial-of-service attacks, viruses and worms.
The risk management process begins when choosing a service provider. McDonald says, "You need to be confident that your business information will be secure. You need to make sure you carry out due diligence on the service provider before you entrust this firm with your vital data. The challenge for procurement professionals is determining what questions to ask, what assurances should be in the contracts and how much risk is being assumed when a service is moved to the 'cloud'."
Furthermore, by outsourcing rarely-needed IT tasks and functions CC allows IT staff to focus on core work. Additionally, rather than having an IT team spend valuable time on monitoring the market for new products, and then facing the challenges of integrating those products with an organisation, cloud computing means that up-to-date software suites are painlessly introduced across a company 'from above' by the service provider.
Alan Calder, CEO of Vigilant Software, comments, "Cloud computing is not a new and frightening idea. If you have a Google Mail account, for example, you will already be using the concept. Your emails are stored externally and you can read them wherever you go, with a laptop, BlackBerry or similar device." He also adds, "Cloud computing is on many people's radars this year, not least because of the attractions to budget-conscious and performance-orientated businesses. There are risks, however, and managing those risks is core to strategic success. It's vital, therefore, to read this book early when thinking about the options presented by cloud computing, as well as continuing to consult the book when implementing the process."
'Above the Clouds: Managing Risk in the World of Cloud Computing' (www.vigilantsoftware.co.uk/product/1674.aspx) acts a primer and strategic guide to identify cloud computing best practices and associated risks, and reduce the latter to acceptable levels. From software as a service (SaaS) to replacing the entire IT infrastructure, the author serves as an educator, guide and strategist, from runway to getting the organisation 'above the clouds'. Valuable tips on how to choose your provider of cloud services are also covered in this book.
'Above the Clouds: Managing Risk in the World of Cloud Computing' is available in an eBook format for immediate download. The price is £39.95 or $78.30 (www.vigilantsoftware.co.uk/product/1674.aspx).
Purchasing can be carried out online through the website with download immediately on completion of checkout. Go to Vigilant software website (www.vigilantsoftware.co.uk) to acquire a copy of this unique guide to managing risk in cloud computing.
- Ends -
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Dominika Jankowska
Internet Marketing Executive
+44 (0) 1353 771044
djankowska@itgovernance.co.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
Vigilant Software Ltd is part of the IT Governance group of companies and is the specialist ISO27001 risk assessment company. It specialises in developing and deploying tools that help organisations manage information security risk in compliance with industry leading standards such as ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27005. Its customer base spans Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Asia. More information is available at www.vigilantsoftware.co.uk.
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