News

Computer security at risk while laws play catch-up

One of the biggest issues facing cloud computing is the regulatory gap between standard practices and the law. While cloud computing hurdles ahead at a spectacular rate, policies that define data security, encryption and access may not be keeping up.

Tech expert Steve Pate reflected on the concerns of many companies and tech professionals in a Computerworld article.

"Organizations are also concerned that law enforcement or government officials could potentially access data directly from their CSP [Cloud Service Provider], bypassing the company completely," Pate wrote.

Companies don't want their data to become more insecure by putting it into the cloud. If laws concerning ownership and stewardship are not updated to reflect the developing relationship between firms and outside providers, responsibility for privacy and security could become a nebulous site of conflict.

Lawmakers are concerned as well. In a piece for Politico, Texas congressman Ted Poe, who serves on the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition, and the Internet, examined the legal disparities concerning the protection of physical and digital information. He argued that the language and conditions of Internet privacy, particularly in regard to the cloud, need to undergo some significant restructuring. He warned that companies risk losing business to overseas firms that offer beefier cloud security unless lawmakers take immediate steps to update regulations that keep up with the times.

Pate outlined several steps a company can take to protect itself while official policies undergo revisions. He recommended that firms delineate "a formal cloud strategy" with the help of computer security professionals. He also prescribed encryption as an important security facet for a company venturing into public cloud computing.

Data encryption is just one of the advantages of signing up for an SSL certificate and keeping sensitive information safe into the future.

corporate office

Thawte
The Gateway
Century Lane
Century City, 7441
Cape Town
South Africa

Postal Address:
P O Box 15986
Panorama 7500
Cape Town
South Africa

Call: +27 21 819 2200
Fax: +27 21 819 2950