In this podcast, Mark Lobel, a subject expert at PricewaterhouseCoopers, discusses the pros and cons of the four facets of cloud computing. He also touches on other cloud computing issues that should be of concern to CIOs.

Cloud computing has become an interesting and important subject on the minds of most CIOs. Its complexity has forced CIOs to think about what applications make sense to move to the cloud, what type of a cloud -- internal versus external, will work best for the organization, and how does an organization know its data will be secure?

PricewaterhouseCoopers recently published its quarterly Technology Forecast with an emphasis on cloud computing. Based on material in the report, Mark Lobel, a subject expert for PricewaterhouseCoopers, looks at cloud computing as having four facets. If one were to draw a matrix with four boxes, the top left box would include software as a service, and infrastructure as a service would be below it. The top right side of the matrix would include on-premises and off-premises or a combined public and private cloud application capability, and cloud bursting would be below it.

In this podcast, Lobel looks at the pros and cons for using each one of these cloud computing facets. He also looks at the overall strengths and weaknesses of the cloud computing industry; the way an organization's culture affects its approach to cloud computing; the ROI benefits of cloud computing; the way cloud computing will change applications development; and some takeaways CIOs should consider before deploying a cloud computing strategy.

Bio
Mark Lobel is the global PricewaterhouseCoopers subject matter expert on security benchmarking, as well as other subjects such as cloud computing. He frequently speaks on benchmarking and other topics for the MIS Training Institute, The Information Security Forum, IBM Training, and other organizations. He is the lead professional on PricewaterhouseCoopers' annual Global Security Survey with CIO and CSO magazines.
He is a Certified Information Systems Auditor, a Certified Information Systems Security Professional, and a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM). Lobel also belongs to the Information Security Systems Audit and Control Association CISM Task Force helping guide the development of this new security certification. His other association memberships include the New York Chapter of ISACA and the New York Chapter of the Information Systems Security Association. He received a B.S in broadcast communications from Oswego State.

Resources
Mark Lobel of PriceWaterhouseCoopers: Update on Recent Information Security Trends, Bank Info Security
http://www.bankinfosecurity.com/html/mark-lobel-pwc-podcast.html

Podcast: 10 Minutes on Data and Identity Theft, PricewaterhouseCoopers
http://www.pwc.com/us/en/10minutes/podcast/index.jhtml

PricewaterhouseCoopers: Security Budgets Remain Intact, Channel Insider
http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Security/PriceWaterHouseCoopers-Security-Budgets-Remain-Intact-440154/

Production Credits

Elizabeth Ferrarini, Executive Producer
Tom Parish, Host and Audio Producer

Audio Editing by Doug Marcis

PeopleSoft. Brocade. and Forte. All of these IT companies got their start with funding from Norwest Venture Partners. Since its inception more than 45 years ago, Norwest has funded more than 400 IT companies in areas ranging from infrastructure to security. Today, the $2.5 billion fund concentrates on early-stage IT companies in areas such as semiconductors and components. enterprise software and service, communications systems and Internet infrastructure.

So what technologies does a VC firm like Norwest find particularly attractive these days? Robert Abbott, general partner at Norwest, says, "CIOs want to buy things that are easy to deploy and to manage over time. To this end, we like managed infrastructure services, such as outsourced security, and enterprise applications based on software as a service. We also like enterprise applications based on an appliance model. With so much emphasis on virtualization, we're looking for things that will take the challenge out of managing all those virtual machines. We still continue to fund things that make it easier to manage all the systems in a data center.

Like many venture capital firms, Norwest values its strong relationships with CIOs and other people in the IT industry. Abbott says, "We're always looking to expand our network of CIOs. We like hearing about the IT problems they're trying to solve. Likewise, we like to show CIOs portfolio companies with solutions that could potentially help them. If any CIO is interested in networking with Norwest Venture Partners, please contact Elizabeth Ferrarini at elizabethferrarini@yahoo.com.

Bio
Since joining Norwest Venture Partners in 1998, Robert Abbott has focused primarily on infrastructure, systems and components. He sits on the board of ClariPhy, KACE, mBlox, Mozes, Occam Networks, Stream Processors and Xilient. He has also worked with such companies as Embark, Escalate (acquired by GERS), mPower (acquired by Morningstar), Quantum Effect Devices (acquired by PMC-Sierra), and Summit Microelectronics.

Abbott has nine years of operational experience in various roles, from engineering to marketing and product management. Before joining Norwest, Abbott was at Silicon Graphics. Prior to Silicon Graphics, he worked at IBM-ROLM Systems. He holds a bachelor of science and a master of science in electrical engineering and an MBA, all from Stanford University.

Resources
Spectator  Business - Brits Go to Silicon Valley

Production Credits
Elizabeth Ferrarini, Executive  Producer
Tom Parish, Host and Audio  Producer
AlarmMusic.com Production Music  Library for Broadcast, Film, Video & Post Production

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