IBM takes action to improve cloud security

ARMONK, USA: IBM on Thrusday unveiled a new security initiative focused on making cloud computing safer. According to a company release, IBM aims to help both users and providers of cloud computing more easily navigate security challenges through new cloud security planning and assessment services, managed services to help clients secure their clouds, and the introduction of several technology innovations from its global research labs.

According to IBM's Institute for Business Value 2010 Global IT Risk Study, cloud computing raised serious concerns among respondents about the use, access and control of data: 77 percent of respondents believe that adopting cloud computing makes protecting privacy more difficult; 50 percent are concerned about a data breach or loss; and 23 percent indicate that weakening of corporate network security is a concern. As the study illustrates, businesses see the promise of the cloud model, but security remains an inhibitor to adoption.

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While an information technology (IT) foundation pertains to all cloud computing, providers and users do not generally rely on one generic model for data security. Both cloud providers and users should consider a variety of factors, including the kind of work a client wants to do in the cloud and the mechanisms and controls used. For example, clients who have collaboration tools and email work in the cloud should think about access and policy controls, while clients focused on healthcare in the cloud should be concerned with data isolation and encryption.

To help meet these specific needs, IBM's cloud security experts work closely with clients to address their individual concerns and provide the appropriate services and offerings. This process includes evaluations of the security positioning of planned or existing cloud implementations as well as recommendations for various security strategies.

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