TOP TECHNOLOGY TRENDS
Cloud Computing
What is it?
Basically cloud computing is the provision of computing resources on
demand via a computer network (source NIST National Institute of Standards and
Technology)
Cloud computing offers advantages in terms of flexibility and scalability
Cloud services are categorized as Software, Platform and Infrastructure
Clouds are categorized as Public, Community, Hybrid and Private
Why is it Important?
Cloud computing is not unlike the service bureau concept popular in the
1970s and 1980s. Two areas must be assessed; business and technical
• Business issues are concerned with the viability, financial stability,
past performance and other matters that one would consider in
entering any business relationship
May 24, 2012
© 2012-Robert G Parker
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TOP TEN TECHNOLOGY TRENDS
Cloud Computing (Con’t)
Why is it Important?
• Technical issues are concerned with meeting the corporation’s
functional, security and performance needs
Clouds offer a cost efficient means of acquiring access to hardware,
software, storage and processing capacity on a need to use basis
Issues and Risks
Businesses may not know where their data will eventually be located
Information in the cloud may not be adequately protected
Third party reliance and issues of effectively identifying, addressing and
managing cloud risks
May 24, 2012
© 2012-Robert G Parker
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TOP TECHNOLOGY TRENDS
Cloud Computing (Con’t)
Issues and Risks
Companies may no longer need to own or license their software but,
rather, could rent software over the Internet as a service (SaaS) on an
as-needed basis. The software rented may not be sufficiently suitable
for the company’s functionality, security or performance needs
In “buying a service” the business may not be fully aware of the risks
that they are undertaking
May 24, 2012
© 2012-Robert G Parker
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TOP TECHNOLOGY TRENDS
Mobile Apps
What is it?
Mobile Apps are applications designed for tablets, smart phones and
other mobile devices and are frequently available.
They perform a myriad of functions, many businesses are exploring the
use of these apps as part of their business strategy and in some cases
their technology solutions.
Why is it Important?
While the use of Apps has some appeal, one must remember that in the
last 1,000 days the world has seen over 500,000 Apps developed and
made available.
While there are technical and design criteria the sheer volume of apps
being developed leaves one suspect of the rigour of the quality review
processes and the quality and availability of documentation to support
theses Apps; particularly when they become an integral component of a
business process.
May 24, 2012
© 2012-Robert G Parker
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TOP TECHNOLOGY TRENDS
Mobile Apps
Issues and Risks
Consistent policies and procedures are needed to assess and approve
new Apps requested by users have not been developed or implemented
A list of Apps approved for use on company or user owned devices may
not exist
Commonly requested/used Apps may not be identified, tested and preapproved
The integrity, functionality, performance or security of the mobile apps
that are downloaded to the mobile devices is not easily verifiable
Limited protection against malicious codes or naively downloading
mobile apps that give away sensitive data to a malicious user
Inappropriate or illegal apps may be downloaded to corporate tablets
May 24, 2012
© 2012-Robert G Parker
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TOP TECHNOLOGY TRENDS
Social Networks / Social Media
What is it?
Social networks involve the use of
communications networks
combined with vendor applications
such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn
and YouTube.
They provide users the ability to
establish profiles, share information
and create and post personal
documents and information
Social networks are rapidly gaining
popularity in business as a means to
communicate with select market
segments
May 24, 2012
© 2012-Robert G Parker
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TOP TECHNOLOGY TRENDS
Social Networks / Social Media
Why is it Important?
Facebook and other public social networks are
already an important part of many individuals’
lives outside their corporate lives
Increasingly social networks are being used by
businesses and government as a means of
communications
News broadcasters and law enforcement are
aggressively switching to social networks as a
means of obtaining and sharing information
The use of on-line communities involving
customers is also being used to develop
customer insights and to encourage customer
loyalty
Within organizations, social networks are being
used to support the development of teams and
communities of practise. .
May 24, 2012
© 2012-Robert G Parker
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TOP TECHNOLOGY TRENDS
Social Networks / Social Media
Issues and Risks
Inappropriate sharing of corporate information is an immediate risk to
firms
Risk that employees will publicly take positions that will damage the
reputation of the firm
If not adopted, there is a risk of losing access to the consumers for
whom social networks are important parts of their lives
• While youth are obviously an important component of this market,
a quick analyses of growing segments of Facebook indicate that
this is by no means a trend restricted to youth.
• Lack of adoption also carries the reputational risk that the firm will
be perceived as unprogressive and not open to change
May 24, 2012
© 2012-Robert G Parker
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TOP TECHNOLOGY TRENDS
Social Networks / Social Media
Issues and Risks
Internal Social Networks
Web threat security is a
well-established risk.
However, the increasing
use of social networks will
increase the importance of
risk for companies who are
leveraging social
networking sites as part of
their business (e.g.
consumer product
companies that use social
media for marketing and
customer service)
May 24, 2012
© 2012-Robert G Parker
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