Cloud Computing: IT System Security – Locking Down Infrastructure

July 4, 2013 Off By David

Grazed from Midsize Insider.  Author: Douglas Bonderud.

IT system security is about more than just walling out attackers and making sure employees use strong passwords. The fundamental nature of networks has changed from being fully entrenched at the local level to being a mixture of owned, rented, in-house, distributed technology. While this provides greater flexibility for admins and can help lower total spending, the advent of ubiquitous cloud computing also presents new security challenges for midsize IT pros.

Defending the Stack

To create a solid set of IT security practices, admins need two things: patience and paranoia. The cloud provides an excellent touchstone for patience because IT departments are often pressured by executives and employees familiar with the cloud to fast track its adoption. The claim here is that lowered costs and greater agility override potential security concerns – they do not…

Admins need the patience to take cloud computing adoption step by step, perhaps starting with a limited hybrid or private deployment and then only moving systems that aren’t critical to business function. As a result, any breaches that occur will have the least impact possible, as a breach of crucial systems during a transition period could be devastating…

Read more from the source @ http://midsizeinsider.com/en-us/article/it-system-security-locking-down-infras