New NIST documents provide cloud computing definitions and security guidelines

Recently, the National Institute of Standards and Technology released two documents regarding cloud computing - one focused on defining the managed IT service and the other involves guidelines for its security.

The documents come as a response to federal chief information officer Vivek Kundra's request last summer, as the new technology lacked clarity in both areas and security concerns were rising.

Regarding cloud computing's definition, NIST provides the following outline - "an on-demand self-service with broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity and must be a measured service," Network World relays. For security guidelines, the NIST provides a long list of recommendations companies should consider before they adopt a public cloud. This advice tells these companies to "carefully consider the security and privacy aspects of public cloud; understand the cloud environment and whether it is appropriate for the business; and make sure clients are secured for cloud environments," Network World relays.

The release of these documents could serve as a large step forwarded in quieting the ever-present fears many businesses and executives have concerning cloud computing. A recent TechTarget article examined some of these fears, such as cyberfraud, and found reasonable ways to calm them. With nearly 64 percent of all businesses turning toward cloud computing in 2011, calming these fears is essential for the new technology to further grow.