SAN JOSE, Calif. — The Security Consortium (TSC) and the Silicon Valley Chapter of the Information Systems Security Association (SV-ISSA) jointly led a recent three-part symposium on the topic of Cloud Computing and the growing and wide-ranging impact on enterprises from a business, legal and security perspective. In addition to speakers from TSC and SV-ISSA, key participants included IT and Security leaders from Visa, Google, HP, Verizon, RSA, WebEx, a division of Cisco, Sun Microsystems, KLA-Tencor and others. Over 60 leaders from both IT and Security attended the Cloud Computing Symposium to learn and discuss the challenges and opportunities brought about by the growing popularity of Cloud Computing.

In a key finding from a post symposium survey, the attendees voted unanimously that Cloud Computing increases, not decreases the risk of data leakage. In a prior vote, SV-ISSA members were evenly split on whether Cloud Computing made security easier. After the symposium, a clear majority had come to believe that Cloud Computing made security more challenging. Thus, the symposium was successful in highlighting both the promises and challenges of Cloud Computing. It is clear that many companies use or plan to use Cloud Computing because of the significant benefits. This is the case even though there are significant security challenges and shortcomings

“After the symposium, it was clear that there are many risks and legal issues associated with Cloud Computing that need to be addressed and this event was a perfect example of the type of thought-provoking discussion and collaboration needed by the industry to meet these challenges,” said Nancy Bianco, Board Director, SV-ISSA. “Furthermore, SV-ISSA is pleased to be able to partner with The Security Consortium on events such as this to support and encourage what will be an interesting and ongoing debate.”

Cloud computing in general, refers to the latest form of outsourcing IT services and the delivery of these services over the Internet or “the cloud” (as depicted in network diagrams). Cloud Computing is seen as a key business driver for the next generation of start-up companies as well as for large established enterprises. By leveraging the established and outsourced IT infrastructure of cloud computing service providers and closely related technologies such as Software as a Service (SaaS) and virtualization, businesses of all sizes now have the ability to adapt, scale and deliver complex services efficiently and at an unprecedented speed.

About The Security Consortium:

The Security Consortium is a leading provider of security test, research, counsel and leadership services. As independent experts on network security products, applications and research, they maintain a security product knowledge base that provides insight into innovative products and trends while monitoring the track record of companies, investors, and executive staff.

Bringing together best-in-breed security experts from around the world, TSC’s consortium of expertise is a strategic resource for bringing trust, integrity and assurance to products and IT operations.

TSC is a privately held company, founded in 2007 and based in San Jose California. Further information on TSC is available at www.thesecurityconsortium.net.

About ISSA Silicon Valley:

The Information Systems Security Association (ISSA) is a not-for-profit, international organization of information security professionals and practitioners. It provides educational forums, publications and peer interaction opportunities that enhance the knowledge, skill and professional growth of its members.

The Silicon Valley chapter is comprised of over 250 Silicon Valley Information Security Staff, Consultants, Managers, Executives, and other business professionals. The members come from Small Businesses and Fortune 100 companies. The chapter’s demographics are diverse, yet we share the common thread that we understand the criticality of Information Security as an enabler of today’s key business objectives and the improvements that will come tomorrow. Further information on ISSA-SV is available at www.sv-issa.org.

[tags]Cloud Computing Symposium, The Security Consortium, Silicon Valley events, Information Systems Security Association[/tags]

ABOUT THE EDITOR: Aria C. Munro works in the book publishing industry and has been a content editor for the Neotrope News Network since 2004. Her black video iPod is most often shuffling Invader Zim episode vids and Thomas Dolby or Dead Can Dance tunez.
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