Executive's Guide to Cloud Computing

Well-known security experts decipher the most challenging aspect of cloud computing-security Cloud computing allows for both large and small organizations to have the opportunity to use Internet-based services so that they can reduce start-up costs, lower capital expenditures, use services on a pay-as-you-use basis, access applications only as needed, and quickly reduce or increase capacities. However, these benefits are accompanied by a myriad of security issues, and this valuable book tackles the most common security challenges that cloud computing faces. The authors offer you years of unparalleled expertise and knowledge as they discuss the extremely challenging topics of data ownership, privacy protections, data mobility, quality of service and service levels, bandwidth costs, data protection, and support. As the most current and complete guide to helping you find your way through a maze of security minefields, this book is mandatory reading if you are involved in any aspect of cloud computing. Coverage Includes: Cloud Computing Fundamentals Cloud Computing Architecture Cloud Computing Software Security Fundamentals Cloud Computing Risks Issues Cloud Computing Security Challenges Cloud Computing Security Architecture Cloud Computing Life Cycle Issues Useful Next Steps and Approaches

The auditor's guide to ensuring correct security and privacy practices in a cloud computing environment Many organizations are reporting or projecting a significant cost savings through the use of cloud computing—utilizing shared computing resources to provide ubiquitous access for organizations and end users. Just as many organizations, however, are expressing concern with security and privacy issues for their organization's data in the «cloud.» Auditing Cloud Computing provides necessary guidance to build a proper audit to ensure operational integrity and customer data protection, among other aspects, are addressed for cloud based resources. Provides necessary guidance to ensure auditors address security and privacy aspects that through a proper audit can provide a specified level of assurance for an organization's resources Reveals effective methods for evaluating the security and privacy practices of cloud services A cloud computing reference for auditors and IT security professionals, as well as those preparing for certification credentials, such as Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) Timely and practical, Auditing Cloud Computing expertly provides information to assist in preparing for an audit addressing cloud computing security and privacy for both businesses and cloud based service providers.

The complete reference guide to the hot technology of cloud computing Its potential for lowering IT costs makes cloud computing a major force for both IT vendors and users; it is expected to gain momentum rapidly with the launch of Office Web Apps later this year. Because cloud computing involves various technologies, protocols, platforms, and infrastructure elements, this comprehensive reference is just what you need if you?ll be using or implementing cloud computing. Cloud computing offers significant cost savings by eliminating upfront expenses for hardware and software; its growing popularity is expected to skyrocket when Microsoft introduces Office Web Apps This comprehensive guide helps define what cloud computing is and thoroughly explores the technologies, protocols, platforms and infrastructure that make it so desirable Covers mobile cloud computing, a significant area due to ever-increasing cell phone and smartphone use Focuses on the platforms and technologies essential to cloud computing Anyone involved with planning, implementing, using, or maintaining a cloud computing project will rely on the information in Cloud Computing Bible.

The easy way to understand and implement cloud computing technology written by a team of experts Cloud computing can be difficult to understand at first, but the cost-saving possibilities are great and many companies are getting on board. If you've been put in charge of implementing cloud computing, this straightforward, plain-English guide clears up the confusion and helps you get your plan in place. You'll learn how cloud computing enables you to run a more green IT infrastructure, and access technology-enabled services from the Internet («in the cloud») without having to understand, manage, or invest in the technology infrastructure that supports them. You'll also find out what you need to consider when implementing a plan, how to handle security issues, and more. Cloud computing is a way for businesses to take advantage of storage and virtual services through the Internet, saving money on infrastructure and support This book provides a clear definition of cloud computing from the utility computing standpoint and also addresses security concerns Offers practical guidance on delivering and managing cloud computing services effectively and efficiently Presents a proactive and pragmatic approach to implementing cloud computing in any organization Helps IT managers and staff understand the benefits and challenges of cloud computing, how to select a service, and what's involved in getting it up and running Highly experienced author team consults and gives presentations on emerging technologies Cloud Computing For Dummies gets straight to the point, providing the practical information you need to know.

A straightforward guide to the principles of effective fundraising operations An Executive Guide to Fundraising Operations provides fundraisers with easy-to-understand approaches to evaluate and address fundraising operations needs and opportunities. This guide simplifies and focuses on the analysis of problems and needs, allowing a quick return to fundraising. Provides the essential framework to improve and innovate development operations Includes dozens of practical tools, including sample policies for data, database, reporting, and business processes Offers sample workflow illustrations for gift processing and acknowledgment, report specification, and other processes Features sample reports for campaign management, performance management, and exception management Delivers effective calculators for operational rules of thumb No matter what the department is called, most fundraisers struggle with evaluating operational issues. This guide leads you through principles of effective fundraising operations, simplifies complicated topics, and offers solutions to some of the most vexing operations dilemmas.

Explore the frontier of electronic discovery in the cloud Cloud Computing and Electronic Discovery comprehensively covers the quickly-evolving realm of eDiscovery in cloud computing environments, a computing and legal frontier in which the rules and legal precedents are being developed anew seemingly by the day. The book delves into this fascinating and rapidly-developing topic to prepare fraud investigators, legal professionals, forensic accountants, and executives understand the ramifications of storing data with third party providers and how such storage mechanisms relate to the limits of discovery practices. This up-to-date resource also includes a complete discussion of the few existing legal precedents and current cases that are shaping interpretation of discovery laws in the cloud space, a perfect overview for executives storing their companies' data in the cloud and the legal professionals tasked with understanding and interpreting the discovery rules surrounding that data. The book is comprehensive in scope and includes: An overview of current trends in cloud computing, including potential information that should be considered in an investigation that involves data held by a cloud service provider Updates on current and proposed laws governing discovery of information held by a third party cloud service provider Updates on legal cases that address the issues of the Electronic Communication Privacy Act, the Federal law prohibiting release of information by a third party provider Practical guidance on how to consider the availability of cloud data relevant to an investigation, and how to include this data in discovery plans For business, accounting, and legal professionals, Cloud Computing and Electronic Discovery is an invaluable resource for understanding the nuanced development of cloud eDiscovery policies, practices, and law as they continue to unfold and develop.

Much has been written about leaders and leadership. Journal articles, blogs and books try to home in on the essence of an effective leader. While there is common agreement that a executive's performance can make or break company, defining that essence of effective leadership remains the Holy Grail for those who find themselves at the top, for those who are responsible for carrying out the strategies and dictates of their managers, and for the shareholders who want to see commitment, action and positive financial return. Breaking the Leadership Mold is designed to help senior executives and managers respond to the challenges of today and shed the vestiges of days gone by. In so doing they will better lead and enable their staff, and create a work environment that is healthy, engaging, productive and sustainable. Based on the author's extensive research and 35 years' experience in working with local, national and international companies, Breaking the Leadership Mold offers 20 principles-such as Principle #10: Recognize How Executive Team Dynamics Promote Mediocrity and Principle #14: Get Other Executives On Board (or Out of the Way)–that when implemented will ensure that not only is there effective communication throughout the organization, from top to bottom and bottom to top, but also that employees and executives alike contribute to their full potential. The net result – the organization wins on every measure. The 20 principles are built on the pillars of case studies, experience and research. Effective leadership is an absolute in any business environment, but becomes even more critical in times when businesses face unprecedented challenges and need to be nimble and responsive to change. Breaking the Mold has proven strategies to empower, unite and galvanize managers and employees – and their organization – to enable them to prosper and adapt in a swift-changing environment.

The thorough reference that goes wherever you go The Complete CFO Reference is the perfect up-to-date reference tool for today's busy CFO, controller, treasurer, and other finance professionals. Written in an easy format and packed with checklists, samples, and worked-out solutions for a wide variety of accounting and finance problems, readers can take this handy reference wherever they go-on a business trip, visiting a client, conducting a conference call, or attending a meeting. Covers all major developments in finance and accounting every CFO needs to know about including IFRS, Web-based planning, and ranging from financial reporting and internal control to financial decision making for shareholder value maximization Includes tables, forms, checklists, questionnaires, practical tips, and sample reports Incorporates Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) throughout the book, as well as coverage of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and its impact on financial reporting, XBRL reporting, risk management and disaster recovery, Web-based planning and budgeting, Web 2.0, cloud computing, and environmental costing Simplifying day-to-day work in dozens of critical areas, The Complete CFO Reference is the perfect up-to-date reference tool for today's busy chief financial officer (CFO), controller, treasurer, financial director, budgeting director, and other financial professionals in public practice and private industry.

How-to guidance for defining and implementing a complex project performance environment Sharing his forty-five years of project management experience, best-selling author and industry guru Robert Wysocki presents a straightforward, enlightening, and pragmatic guide to help senior managers make the transition to an organization that profits and thrives on complexity. The first book to discuss practical project management mitigation strategies, Executive's Guide to Project Management presents easy-to-implement infrastructures and processes that will ensure the continued success of your organization and maximize your investment of every project. Collects in one resource all the relevant information for understanding and creating an environment for improved complex project performance A must-read for every member of your senior management team Shows you how to regain responsibility, take action, and skillfully handle complexity to mitigate risk and increase return on project investments It's time for your senior management team to take back control of your investments in projects and programs. Executive's Guide to Project Management shows you how to cultivate your part of the organization so that it can respond to a changing project environment with the infrastructure to support the project and program investment decisions.

The ultimate guide to assessing and exploiting the customer value and revenue potential of the Cloud A new business model is sweeping the world—the Cloud. And, as with any new technology, there is a great deal of fear, uncertainty, and doubt surrounding cloud computing. Cloudonomics radically upends the conventional wisdom, clearly explains the underlying principles and illustrates through understandable examples how Cloud computing can create compelling value—whether you are a customer, a provider, a strategist, or an investor. Cloudonomics covers everything you need to consider for the delivery of business solutions, opportunities, and customer satisfaction through the Cloud, so you can understand it—and put it to work for your business. Cloudonomics also delivers insight into when to avoid the cloud, and why. Quantifies how customers, users, and cloud providers can collaborate to create win-wins Reveals how to use the Laws of Cloudonomics to define strategy and guide implementation Explains the probable evolution of cloud businesses and ecosystems Demolishes the conventional wisdom on cloud usage, IT spend, community clouds, and the enterprise-provider cloud balance Whether you're ready for it or not, Cloud computing is here to stay. Cloudonomics provides deep insights into the business value of the Cloud for executives, practitioners, and strategists in virtually any industry—not just technology executives but also those in the marketing, operations, economics, venture capital, and financial fields.