Information Technology Security Community

This paper is a valuable resource for organizations considering a “cloud” solution, raising many questions to consider and discuss with potential providers.

Cloud hosted services and their companion hardware products for physical security are also emerging; supporting such functions as hosted access control, alarm monitoring, and video surveillance. Given the reliance that is placed on these important security functions for the protection of life, property, and information, any implementation requires careful consideration.

This paper was researched, drafted, and written with the specific intention of introducing Cloud Computing and Software as a Service, relevant to the security practitioner, particularly those who have an interest in, and responsibility for, physical and electronic security and the potential application of cloud computing in this environment. It does not address Platform as a Service (PaaS) or Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) or other variants of Cloud Computing; such white papers may be the result of further initiatives.