State of Cloud Security 2016

Cloud computing is an incredible innovation. While at its heart a simple concept, the packaging of compute resources as an on demand service is having a fundamental impact on information technology with far reaching consequences. Cloud is disrupting most industries in a rapid fashion and is becoming the back end for all other forms of computing, such as mobile, Internet of Things and future technologies not yet conceived. As governments, businesses and consumers move to adopt cloud computing en masse, the stakes could not be higher to gain assurance that cloud is a safe, secure, transparent, and trusted platform. This paper seeks to view the cloud computing industry through the lens of the enterprise information security practitioner. By articulating the state of cloud security from this viewpoint, we can better understand the gaps and solutions we must advocate for and help cloud providers better understand the needs of their consumers.