Experts Question Whether Google Can Adequately Protect Information in the Cloud

 Information that government agencies entrust to cloud computing services is of paramount concern to experts at SafeGov.org. Recent incidents suggest that Google does not exercise adequate control over certain aspects of its technology which may compromise the security of government information in Google cloud services. SafeGov.org experts Karen Evans, Richard Falkenrath, Jeff Gould and Douglas Miller call upon Google to take proactive steps to reassure government customers that its services will fully protect their information.

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Specifically, these SafeGov.org experts think that Google should implement the following measures:
(1) Create an audit program to ensure that their government-specific privacy policies are effectively implemented by Google’s cloud products and service delivery organization. By publishing the audit program results, Google would show to Congressional oversight and the American taxpayers that they are meeting the terms and conditions of their federal government contracts.
(2) Publish the results of the audit program so that Federal, State and Local government customers and the American taxpayers can be confident that Google’s privacy policies are sophisticated enough to protect government information. Furthermore, the audit would give adequate assurances that Google is not monitoring or sharing sensitive government information without explicit consent.
With Google’s new privacy policies going into effect March 1, 2012 with no opt out control afforded any user, the stakes could not be higher. Immediate action should be taken. These SafeGov.org experts also call on all vendors active in the government cloud computing market to undertake the same commitments to information privacy and safety that they are asking of Google. These measures are the indispensable precondition for a healthy and rapidly growing market for cloud computing services used by governments of all levels.
About SafeGov.org:
SafeGov.org is an online forum for IT providers and leading industry experts dedicated to promoting trusted and responsible cloud computing solutions for the public sector. By fostering a more comprehensive understanding of cloud technologies, including their benefits, capabilities and limitations, SafeGov.org works to empower government users to make well-informed procurement choices from the growing universe of marketplace offerings.

REF:razavi (2012). Experts Question Whether Google Can Adequately Protect Information in the Cloud. [ONLINE] Available at: http://bizcloudnetwork.com/google-can-protect-information-in-the-cloud. [Last Accessed 28 may 2012].
By: Nabin Gautam
ID: 1040801.