One of the downsides of cloud-based applications is an even greater need to watch the security of the network protocols in use. Traffic going outside the private network (and potentially traffic on it) needs to be securely encrypted between the user and servers, if it contains sensitive information. If passwords are compromised, users need to [...]

While business IT staff are sometimes criticised for excessive surveillance of staff, it was Networked CCTV and government databases that came under scrutiny with today’s publishing of Surveillance: Citizens and the State (pdf file). The House of Lords Constitution Committee has warned that increasing use of surveillance by the government and private companies is a serious threat to freedoms and constitutional [...]

OK, not really big name awards, but rather John Willis’s personal suggestions: The 2008 Cloudies Awards. I mention it because a) it is a rather useful who’s who of cloud computing and b) it is a reminder of how nascent the space is. So far there are very few ‘big names’ in cloud computing. That is [...]

For anyone who’s even said Microsoft don’t “get” networking, the next year could be when you find out if they really do or not. At this week’s Professional Developers Conference, this hit the wire: “Microsoft Unveils Windows Azure..”
Azure is the Redmond giant’s play for the cloud space. I like Kas Thomas’ post on CMS Watch: “End [...]

The second CloudCamp in London takes place on Thursday the 13th of November (details for booking here).
Very promising line up so far:

Joe Baguley, Quest CTO Europe, “Virtualisation isn’t always green”
Paul Watson, Arjuna, “Federated clouds”
Duncan Johnston-Watt, Enigmatec CTO, “Cloud Cover”
Phil Dean, Cisco,”What CIOs are saying to Cisco about cloud”
Alexis Richardson, CohesiveFT, and Adil Mohammed, Entrip, “Cloud [...]