Your Project Assignment Is A Two-Part Assignment. The First ✓ Solved
Your project assignment is a two-part assignment. The first
Your project assignment is a two-part assignment. The first portion is a response to a series of questions from organizational leaders to determine and justify the appropriate cloud service. The second part of the assignment focuses on Contoso Corp's decision to move some department information systems to the cloud.
Below are the conversations with the department leaders for which you need to prepare a written response.
Part I Responses
Human Resources Director
The HR platform at Contoso Corp is proprietary and currently resides on our datacenter server. There is an interest in continuing to use this system in the cloud. The product's supporting company indicates that they must have remote access to the Windows Server for updates. A possible solution for the HR department is to consider a cloud service that offers a hybrid environment. This arrangement allows for the compatibility of existing proprietary systems while offering the flexibility and scalability of cloud storage.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Microsoft Azure are suitable platforms for this implementation. Both platforms support hybrid architectures, allowing proprietary systems to operate in tandem with their cloud services. AWS offers Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) options which permit secure remote access to company servers while maintaining compliance and security (Amazon, 2023).
CIO
The CIO has expressed concern over login security following a successful cyber attack. Since the organization does not conduct business outside of the US, implementing geographical restrictions on logins is critical. Solutions such as AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) or Azure Active Directory can be employed. Both services offer features to restrict logins by geographical location, implementing alerts or access denials for attempts from unauthorized locations.
Moreover, to enhance security further, multi-factor authentication (MFA) should be deployed to ensure that even with password knowledge, unauthorized access remains improbable. This would protect sensitive information from similar attacks in the future. These solutions align with best practices in cloud security as confirmed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines (NIST, 2021).
Legal Department Director
For legal compliance regarding cloud services, it is imperative to select a cloud service provider (CSP) that adheres to federal standards. Providers like AWS and Microsoft Azure are compliant with Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP), which institutionalizes compliance with government regulations. Enabling compliance with security standards protects sensitive federal information effectively.
Additionally, consulting the FedRAMP Marketplace could help identify cloud service providers that have passed rigorous security assessments. This ensures that the solution not only fits organizational needs but also complies with federal regulations, safeguarding the integrity of sensitive data (FedRAMP, 2023).
Part II: Service Level Agreement (SLA)
The purpose of a Service Level Agreement (SLA) is to outline the expected level of service between a service provider and a client. It defines service standards such as uptime, support response times, and performance benchmarks. It serves as a contractual document that not only promises quality service delivery but also specifies penalties if conditions are not met.
Upon reviewing the attached SLA, it can be identified that it may lack certain elements crucial for thorough oversight. For example:
- Disaster Recovery Provisions: An effective SLA should incorporate detailed disaster recovery protocols, including recovery time objectives (RTO) and recovery point objectives (RPO), which direct how quickly services can be restored and how much data can be lost in the event of a disaster.
- Performance Metrics: Clear KPIs that measure the level of service and performance must be detailed in the SLA. This could include acceptable response times for support requests or threshold metrics for uptime percentages.
Additional considerations for the SLA based on the selected solutions in Part I include:
- Security Measures: Given the presentations surrounding login security and compromised accounts, specific clauses within the SLA must define how the provider will manage issues related to security breaches, including immediate notifications and responses.
- Compliance Audits: The SLA should stipulate regular audits to ensure ongoing compliance with federal regulations, which is a significant requirement for the Legal Department.
Conclusion
In summary, transitioning some department information systems to the cloud demands careful consideration of the potential cloud service solutions. By addressing the specific needs of the HR, CIO, and Legal Department, we can create a successful cloud strategy that enhances security and compliance. Furthermore, a solid SLA with thorough provisions will ensure ongoing accountability and performance monitoring.
References
- Amazon. (2023). Amazon Web Services - Hybrid Cloud. Retrieved from https://aws.amazon.com/hybrid/
- FedRAMP. (2023). FedRAMP Marketplace. Retrieved from https://www.fedramp.gov/marketplace/
- NIST. (2021). NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Retrieved from https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework
- Microsoft. (2023). Azure Active Directory Overview. Retrieved from https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/services/active-directory/
- Gartner. (2021). Cloud Security Posture Management. Retrieved from https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology/glossary/cloud-security-posture-management-cspm
- IBM. (2021). Understanding Cloud Compliance. Retrieved from https://www.ibm.com/cloud/compliance
- Accenture. (2022). The Cloud’s Role in Cyber Resilience. Retrieved from https://www.accenture.com/us-en/insights/cloud/cyber-resilience-cloud
- Forrester. (2021). Service Level Agreements and Cloud Services. Retrieved from https://go.forrester.com/research/
- Gartner. (2022). Seven Steps to Creating SLAs. Retrieved from https://www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/creating-service-level-agreements
- Cloud Security Alliance. (2022). Security Guidance for Critical Areas of Focus in Cloud Computing. Retrieved from https://cloudsecurityalliance.org/