October 16, 2012
"The cloud" is a hot topic lately, but what does it mean, exactly? How do cloud computing services keep documents, photos and other data safe? Can university data be stored using these types of services?
These are questions the Information Security Office (ISO) aims to answer during its annual October observance of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
"Cloud computing is a current trend both in business and personal computing; whether it's apps, storage or computing power, there are many options available in the cloud," said Mary Ann Blair, director of Information Security. "We want to help people to use these services effectively and within the framework of university policies and guidelines."
Vice Provost for Computing Services and CIO Steve Huth emphasizes the "teamwork" aspect of cloud computing.
"Security in the cloud only works when both the service providers and those using the service keep security in mind," he says. "Security is everyone's responsibility; that's why things like National Cybersecurity Awareness Month are important."
In addition to presentations on various cloud computing projects and the publication of recommended security practices for cloud computing, this year's National Cybersecurity Awareness Month events include instruction on using the Identity Finder tool to secure your computer and Security 101, a general overview of safe computing practices.
"We want to enable everyone in the campus community to get their academic, administrative and research work done and done securely," Blair said.
For more information on National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, visit www.cmu.edu/iso/aware/ncsam/.
Melanie Linn Gutowski is a documentation specialist for Computing Services.
Securing the Cloud
ISO Focuses on Safe Practices in October
By Melanie Linn Gutowski
These are questions the Information Security Office (ISO) aims to answer during its annual October observance of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
"Cloud computing is a current trend both in business and personal computing; whether it's apps, storage or computing power, there are many options available in the cloud," said Mary Ann Blair, director of Information Security. "We want to help people to use these services effectively and within the framework of university policies and guidelines."
Vice Provost for Computing Services and CIO Steve Huth emphasizes the "teamwork" aspect of cloud computing.
"Security in the cloud only works when both the service providers and those using the service keep security in mind," he says. "Security is everyone's responsibility; that's why things like National Cybersecurity Awareness Month are important."
In addition to presentations on various cloud computing projects and the publication of recommended security practices for cloud computing, this year's National Cybersecurity Awareness Month events include instruction on using the Identity Finder tool to secure your computer and Security 101, a general overview of safe computing practices.
"We want to enable everyone in the campus community to get their academic, administrative and research work done and done securely," Blair said.
For more information on National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, visit www.cmu.edu/iso/aware/ncsam/.
Melanie Linn Gutowski is a documentation specialist for Computing Services.