On Privacy, Security and the Cloud

One of the more common questions we get about the cloud has to do with privacy, security and the impact that cloud computing has on these 2 elements. This is a fairly complex issues, and not all the laws and precedents have been set out. The executive summary is this:

a. Choose a Service Provider that has your best interests in mind.

b. You are the owner of your data, even if your data is in the cloud; therefore take the right precautions and only get into service greements that you feel comfortable with.

c. Lastly, do not get into Service Agreements with providers that are not forthcoming on their privacy and security policies and terms.

Here is an excellent presentation from David Fraser of Mcinnes & Cooper on Privacy & the Cloud with particular focus on Canadian implications. This type of content is hard to find online, so please read carefully.

 

About the author

Alex is a pioneer in using the cloud to meet the needs of small and medium sized business (SMBs) and membership-based organizations. He has a BSc in computer science from the University of Michigan and has worked as a product manager at two Internet startups. Alex is a father of 2 and plays the trumpet for fun. He is the founder and the president of the University of Michigan Alumni Club of Toronto.