Bookmark and Share

Businesses Without Borders: International Information Exchange in a Cloud-Based World

The group voiced their concerns and challenges about the current use of cloud in their work environments. The current infrastructure of many companies represented in the group were also varied. While some are fully embracing a cloud infrastructure, others are still using more traditional setups while easing into the use of cloud in their overall model. The group did agree that the cloud offers a lot of benefits such as the quick time to market; cutting costs; and being able to quickly build everything out and prepare it for clients. However, compliance issues were a point of concern for many of those at the table. Discussion turned to the kinds of data being stored in the cloud and the kind of security measures needed to protect that data. Encryption and monitoring tools were both popular security methods for those taking part in the discussion. Identity and Access Management tests were also brought up and the group discussed some barriers with trying to make IAM meet compliance standards.

International issues quickly became a topic of interest. If it’s part of doing your business, there are companies today using the cloud that are technically breaking the rules set up by the European Union. But for many, the concern is less about following these rules, and more about waiting to see what happens when someone gets sued for not complying to EU regulations. Now that most organizations have gone from a physical world to a cloud world, they’re never really sure where your data is being held. However, despite the nebulous location of data in motion, security executives are still held responsible for it at the end of the day.