NIST guide explains cloud in plain terms

• By GCN Staff
• May 30, 2012

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has unveiled a guide that explains cloud technologies in “plain terms” to federal agencies and provides recommendations for IT decision-makers, reports Camille Tuutti in Federal Computer Week.

The newly released Special Publication 800-146, "Cloud Computing Synopsis and Recommendations," repeats the NIST-established definition of cloud computing, describes cloud computing benefits and open issues, and gives insight into various cloud technologies. It also provides guidelines and recommendations on how organizations should weigh the opportunities and risks of cloud computing.

Also aimed at helping federal information systems professionals make better-informed decisions around cloud computing, the guidance gives general how-tos in five areas: management, data governance, security and reliability, virtual machines, and software and applications.

To read Tuutti's full report, click here.