Computer Network Services Manhattan: Cloud Computing & Security - 08-27-2009

Cloud computing, as pioneered by the Google Apps suite, is the name of the game for small business computer network services in Manhattan. But what is cloud computing? And what does it mean for your computer network services and IT security?

Cloud-based Network Services Save NYC Companies Money

At its core, cloud computing is all about virtualization—of infrastructure, applications and even security.  This cloud-based NYC IT infrastructure benefits small businesses in particular because it offers consolidation of servers, applications and even operating systems. This translates into IT efficiency and significant IT cost savings: your team can begin working immediately with cutting edge collaboration and presentation tools from diverse locations without investing a lot of money in computer network services.

But cloud computing, in conjunction with social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and the ilk, are also exposing NYC small business computer networks to an unprecedented number of security risks.

Does Virtualization Make Manhattan Computer Networks Vulnerable to Hacking?

At the heart of the issue is the very thing that makes virtualization so attractive to begin with: everything is linked. This means, on the most basic level, that if your employees’ email account is hacked (as was recently the gmail account of Twitter founder Ev Williams), your process and management systems, servers, Docs, Calendar, and Contacts are also compromised.

Unfortunately, while more and more companies are adopting virtual collaboration tools and cloud-based network services, only a portion of these businesses are simultaneously adopting virtualized security measures.

“You can’t simply rely on your existing New York network security infrastructure, although making sure traditional security measures and maintenance plans are in effect before adopting any sort of cloud-based strategies is a good idea, says Einat Aviraz-Sibony, President of Manhattan IT services firm UPTIME. “Because in essence, the basic IT security concepts are the same: data protection, identity and access, and business continuity.”

Virtualization will bring your team’s capabilities to a new level without overtaxing your IT budget, but keeping an eye on web-based security as it emerges warrants your attention. If you outsource your computer network services, make sure your provider performs routine virus detections and inoculations and ask them to check if your Software as a Service (SaaS) vendor—like a Google Apps reseller--offers the Novell Cloud Security Service, the newest in cloud security offerings.

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