Cloud Computing

1. TOP TECHNOLOGY TRENDS Cloud Computing What is it? Basically cloud computing is the provision of computing resources on demand via a computer network (source NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology) Cloud computing offers advantages in terms of flexibility and scalability Cloud services are categorized as Software, Platform and Infrastructure Clouds are categorized as Public, Community, Hybrid and Private Why is it Important? • Cloud computing is not unlike the service bureau concept popular in the 1970s and 1980s. Two areas must be assessed; business and technical • Business issues are concerned with the viability, financial stability, past performance and other matters that one would consider in entering any business relationship

2. TOP TEN TECHNOLOGY TRENDS Cloud Computing (Con’t) Why is it Important? • Technical issues are concerned with meeting the corporation’s functional, security and performance needs • Clouds offer a cost efficient means of acquiring access to hardware, software, storage and processing capacity on a need to use basis Issues and Risks Businesses may not know where their data will eventually be located Information in the cloud may not be adequately protected Third party reliance and issues of effectively identifying, addressing and managing cloud risks

3. TOP TECHNOLOGY TRENDS Cloud Computing (Con’t) Issues and Risks Companies may no longer need to own or license their software but, rather, could rent software over the Internet as a service (SaaS) on an as-needed basis. The software rented may not be sufficiently suitable for the company’s functionality, security or performance needs In “buying a service” the business may not be fully aware of the risks that they are undertaking

4. TOP TECHNOLOGY TRENDS Mobile Apps What is it? Mobile Apps are applications designed for tablets, smart phones and other mobile devices and arefrequently available. They perform a myriad of functions, many businesses are exploring the use of these apps as part of their business strategy and in some cases their technology solutions. Why is it Important? While the use of Apps has some appeal, one must remember that in the last 1,000 days the world has seen over 500,000 Apps developed and made available. While there are technical and design criteria the sheer volume of apps being developed leaves one suspect of the rigour of the quality review processes and the quality and availability of documentation to support theses Apps; particularly when they become an integral component of a business process.

5. TOP TECHNOLOGY TRENDS Mobile Apps Issues and Risks Consistent policies and procedures are needed to assess and approve new Apps requested by users have not been developed or implemented A list of Apps approved for use on company or user owned devices may not exist Commonly requested/used Apps may not be identified, tested and pre-approved The integrity, functionality, performance or security of the mobile apps that are downloaded to the mobile devices is not easily verifiable Limited protection against malicious codes or naively downloading mobile apps that give away sensitive data to a malicious user Inappropriate or illegal apps may be downloaded to corporate tablets

6. TOP TECHNOLOGY TRENDS Social Networks / Social Media What is it? Social networks involve the use of communications networks combined with vendor applications such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. They provide users the ability to establish profiles, share information and create and post personal documents and information Social networks are rapidly gaining popularity in business as a means to communicate with select market segments

7. TOP TECHNOLOGY TRENDS Social Networks / Social Media Why is it Important? Facebook and other public social networks are already an important part of many individuals’ lives outside their corporate lives   Increasingly social networks are being used by businesses and government as a means of communications   News broadcasters and law enforcement are aggressively switching to social networks as a means of obtaining and sharing information The use of on-line communities involving customers is also being used to develop customer insights and to encourage customer loyalty Within organizations, social networks are being used to support the development of teams and communities of practise. .

8. TOP TECHNOLOGY TRENDS Social Networks / Social Media Issues and Risks • Inappropriate sharing of corporate information is an immediate risk to firms • Risk that employees will publicly take positions that will damage the reputation of the firm • If not adopted, there is a risk of losing access to the consumers for whom social networks are important parts of their lives • While youth are obviously an important component of this market, a quick analyses of growing segments of Facebook indicate that this is by no means a trend restricted to youth. • Lack of adoption also carries the reputational risk that the firm will be perceived as unprogressive and not open to change

9. TOP TECHNOLOGY TRENDS Social Networks / Social Media Issues and Risks Internal Social Networks Web threat security is a well-established risk. However, the increasing use of social networks will increase the importance of risk for companies who are leveraging social networking sites as part of their business (e.g. consumer product companies that use social media for marketing and customer service)