The new federal strategy for implementing cloud-computing solutions is called “Cloud First” - and with good reason. We now systematically prefer cloud-computing solutions to those based on local servers and laptops.

I’ve seen a troubling trend these past few years and a symptom of the larger malaise that strikes many corporate IT departments. Ask a CIO about their technology plan or strategy for the coming months, and their eyes light up and in hushed awe they reverently whisper: “The Cloud.”

Cloud computing brings with it opportunities, issues and risks. One major consideration that must be addressed is the management of data – governance, stewardship, consistency, ownership and security.

Gregory C. Wilshusen’s testimony before the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives summarizes the GAO’s report issued last year and describes actions taken by federal agencies to implement the report’s recommendations.

When suppliers try to tie their technology to misleading catch phrases, does it really work for them or just create more market confusion?