Grazed from CloudTweaks. Author: Abdul Salam.

In a world where digital connectivity and online presence are a significant part of life and businesses alike, a disaster that disables online services is undoubtedly going to ruin some people’s day, to say the least. Hurricane Katrina and others like it around the world have proven that no data center or server facility is safe from natural disasters and other freak accidents. The effects of such events can at least be mitigated with cloud computing services and technology, making disaster mitigation and recovery easier.

Imagine if a bank losses all its customer’s data including all digital backups because of some calamity, it certainly is a disaster for everyone, the bank most especially. However, not to worry for there are backups in the form of paper, age old reliable paper; well, one can just imagine the banks clerks trudging through tons of paper and slaving in front of computers as they quickly try to get everything into electronic form while their cheeks slowly turn gaunt and their eyes white. It is a highly unlikely event with today’s standards for backing up data, but still a possible worst case scenario…

Grazed from TechTarget. Author: David Linthicum.

While the rise of cloud computing frightens some in IT, many see the technology as an opportunity to accelerate their careers and their bank accounts. And IT pros have good reason to be optimistic. In a 2012 survey conducted within a 90-day period by Wanted Analytics, more than 2,400 companies said they are seeking candidates with cloud computing skills. Moreover, hiring demand increased by 61% from 2011 to 2012 for IT people with cloud knowledge. Analyst firm IDC also released a report last year that indicated public and private spending in cloud computing will increase exponentially over the next few years, resulting in an available jobs boost of nearly 14 million positions worldwide.

There is an explosion in both the use of cloud computing and the demand for people to assist in the mass migration to cloud. Indeed, there are about 50 to 70 jobs chasing truly qualified candidates at this point in time, according to technical recruiters. And there are two categories of cloud computing careers that seem to be emerging in the space: positions seeking IT pros with specific cloud skills and positions looking for IT admins with cloud architecture know-how…

Grazed from AWN. Author: Editorial Staff.

Two months before FMX opens its doors, Europe’s most influential Conference on Animation, Effects, Games and Transmedia is pleased to announce that two Pixar films are part of the FMX Conference program. Firstly, the Director and Scriptwriter Saschka Unseld presents his latest work, the Pixar animated short The Blue Umbrella, in Stuttgart. Furthermore, newly-awarded Oscar winner Brave has been confirmed for a presentation.

In April 2013, the technical focus at FMX includes a series on "Cloud Gaming" and "Cloud Computing" opened by keynote speaker Jon Peddie (JPR). What’s more, Austria, Toronto and Turkey count among this year’s "Innovative Places." In addition, market leaders such as Adobe and Autodesk invite attendees to take part in exciting Workshops, while the premiere of the "Fast Forward Education" seeks to build bridges between academia and industry…

Grazed from ComputerWorld. Author: Brandon Butler.

The global public cloud computing market will grow 18.5% in 2013 to $131 billion, up from $111 billion last year, research firm Gartner predicts. Through the next three years, cloud spending is predicted to total $677 billion, with almost half of that spending made up of cloud advertising.

While North America and Western Europe represent the two largest cloud computing markets, areas such as Asia/Pacific, Latin America and Eastern Europe represent smaller, but faster growing markets for cloud computing services. North America will be responsible for 59% of new cloud computing spending through 2016, with Western Europe accounting for 24%, Gartner says. The top segments of the cloud computing market this year break down as follows:…

Grazed from InformationManagement. Author: Bob Violino.

The Cloud Security Alliance Top Threats Working Group released “The Notorious Nine: Cloud Computing Top Threats in 2013.” The report is aimed at providing organizations with an up-to-date, expert-informed understanding of cloud security threats so that they can make educated risk-management decisions regarding cloud adoption strategies.

While there are many risks associated with the cloud in general, the report focuses on threats specifically related to the shared, on-demand nature of cloud computing, says CSA, a not-for-profit organization that promotes the use of best practices for providing security assurance within cloud computing. With descriptions and analyses, the report serves as a threat identification guide designed to help cloud users and providers make informed decisions about risk mitigation…

Grazed from AssetPoint. Author: PR Announcement.

AssetPoint, a leading Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) and Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) solution provider, today announced the successful completion of a thorough, independent audit of its cloud computing operational controls for the 7th consecutive year.

The examination was performed in accordance with the guidance contained in American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements No. 16 (SSAE 16), “Reporting on the Controls at a Service Organization”. The audit evaluates suitability of the design and operating effectiveness of controls of the services provided to customers. SSAE 16 Type II audits are among the most rigorous standards, and they ensure AssetPoint provides a secure operational environment for its customers…

Grazed from TalkinCloud. Author: Chris Talbot.

Qualys, a provider of cloud security and compliance management products and services, has partnered with global managed security solutions provider Verizon (NYSE: VZ) to develop and deliver cloud-based IT security and compliance management services.

Based on the QualysGuard Cloud Platform, the new cloud security services from the two companies will be an extension of an existing relationship. According to Qualys, this expanded partnership will give Verizon customers access to Qualys’ platform to secure and protect their IT assets and web applications from cyberattacks. Another key element will be the automating of compliance with services, including vulernability management, web-application scanning and PCI and policy compliance…

Grazed from CloudTweaks. Author: Rick Blaisdell.

As we discussed in an older article, cloud computing technologies are on the rise in the healthcare industry. From large hospitals to physicians and administrators to small medical services providers, all have seen cost savings from implementing and utilizing cloud-based solutions. Today we will focus more on small medical services providers and on how they can use cloud computing technologies. Here are the cloud-based solutions most used by doctors and physicians:

Cloud storage. Information storage is of major importance for doctors as they need to keep medical records, notes, test results, cardiology and radiology images, available and secure. There are two alternatives when it comes to cloud storage solutions for medical services: the electronic medical record solution (EMR) and the electronic health record solution (EHR)…

Grazed from InformationWeek. Author: Thomas Claburn.

Cloud Sherpas, a company that helps businesses implement cloud computing services, released Thursday an open source Python framework to simplify custom app development on Google App Engine. Recently named Google Apps implementation partner of the year by Google, Cloud Sherpas has amassed some 3,000 corporate customers since 2007 and boasts projected 2013 revenue of more than $100 million. Most of its business involves helping companies deploy cloud computing services like Google Apps and Saleforce.com.

But in 2011, the company was losing custom app development opportunities presented by its enterprise clients because there were too few tools available to accelerate Google App Engine projects. The absence of a mature tool ecosystem for App Engine meant that custom apps tended to take longer and cost more than clients would accept. Tim Lockyear, director of application development at Cloud Sherpas, said in a phone interview that his team spent much of 2011 and 2012 working on software to make it easier to create custom app engine projects that could interact with Google Apps…

Grazed from Huawei. Author: PR Announcement.

Huawei has launched FusionCloud, an open-source cloud computing platform compatible with OpenStack software. Developed in response to the industry trend towards openness and standardization, FusionCloud will enable carrier organizations to establish agile, efficient and open cloud platforms and services, Huawei said. FusionCloud features three core components, namely FusionSphere, FusionCube and FusionAccess.

FusionSphere is a Huawei-developed cloud operating system and part of Huawei’s Distributed Cloud Data Center (DC2) architecture. FusionSphere is capable of integrating IT infrastructures from different vendors, and can run unified resources scheduling. FusionCube is a converged infrastructure that integrates computing, storage, and network capabilities to help carriers establish data centres or branch infrastructures. FusionAccess ensures seamless cloud connection, allowing users to access securely cloud services and applications from terminals over fixed or mobile networks. The new products follow Huawei joining the OpenStack Foundation in October 2012.