The Cloud Computing Forum & Workshop VIII will be held July 7-10, 2015, at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, Maryland. One of the most influential annual meetings on the topic, particularly for government users, it will feature five tracks covering cloud customers, forensics, research, security and standards.
Tuesday, July 7, is Cloud Standards Day. The first two international cloud computing standards have been completed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and work on standards continues at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). How they are being used and how do they shape the future of cloud standards? Two leading figures in standards development—Hewlett-Packard Director, Standards Initiatives Karen Higginbottom and Oracle Vice President, Standards Strategy and Architecture Donald Deutsch—will lead the discussion.
Security is the theme of Wednesday, July 8. The day offers insight into the intersection of the NIST Cloud Computing Program and the GSA-based Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) that reviews and authorizes cloud vendors for government use, overcoming security obstacles when buying cloud-based systems and managing service level agreements and security. The day will end with a discussion on privacy and security.
Thursday, July 9, features two themes. The Cloud Research Track will examine the next direction of cloud computing now that it has become basic infrastructure. Researchers will discuss the next steps for the cloud and how to measure cloud services. A special focus will be on the concept of a federated cloud, which is a vision of the future in which the resources of different cloud services providers are connected in a seamless network resembling that of today’s Internet.
Thursday’s second theme is Forensics—law enforcement access to cloud data. Speakers will review topics including e-Discovery, data governance, deletion and data integrity in the cloud.
Cloud Customers are the focus on Friday, July 10.
Cloud customer Dawn Leaf provides her unique experience with cloud computing as the current Labor Department CIO and former NIST Senior Executive for Cloud Computing. Other topics to be covered include lessons in cloud computing acquisitions, government needs and available solutions, a practical guide to cloud service level agreements and how the cloud can assist people with disabilities.
For more information or to register for the Cloud Computing Forum and Workshop VIII: www.nist.gov/itl/cloud/cloud_computing_wkshp_viii.cfm .