Virtualization and Cloud Advisor Blog

Cloud computing is entering companies with the momentum of a locomotive, writes CIO.com virtualization blogger Bernard Golden. Here, he shares the striking facts about cloud computing's present and future that he obtained while attending recent conferences on cloud computing.

The threat that cloud computing poses to CIOs and IT professionals' careers does not stem from cloud computing rendering corporate IT departments irrelevant. Rather, it comes from CIOs' and IT professionals' failure to face the revolution that cloud computing brings and to assume much more important positions inside their firms.

CIOs and senior IT managers are not immune from the employment risks that cloud computing poses to lower-level infrastructure and operations workers. Failing to rethink the delivery of IT services--and the new organizational structures that will be needed to deliver them--poses a threat to their job security.

Treating the cloud security discussion as a black-and-white issue, where public clouds are insecure and private cloud are secure, is overly simplistic and leaves organizations that pursue either type of cloud environment vulnerable.

Operating as a cloud service provider (CSP) requires acting like a business, not a cost center, and marrying infrastructure agility with operational capability. Here, CIO.com's Virtualization and Cloud Advisor Bernard Golden outlines the core competencies CIOs need in their IT departments to function as CSPs.

Open source caused many embarrassing conversations for CIOs: A CIO would say we have no open source software -- then walk the halls and find it in use. This same scenario is playing out with cloud services, says CIO.com's Bernard Golden.

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin recently used a virtual computer model, also known as a neural network, to test what happens when the your brain releases excess dopamine. In doing so they found that the network acted schizophrenic, in other words, they gave a computer Schizophrenia.

The recent OpenStack Design Summit delivered some interesting insight on cost and infrastructure -- whether you're working with this open source technology, or other cloud platforms, says CIO.com's Bernard Golden. Check out two lessons learned from eBay and Dell.

With vendors flooding the market with a surplus of options, many "cloudwashed" to sound new, it's no wonder that IT departments struggle with the security and privacy risk equations. However, says, CIO.com's Bernard Golden, your first choice doesnt have to be perfect for all time.

Recent announcements from Facebook and VMware reflect how profoundly cloud computing will change the nature of corporate IT in the future. CIO.com's Bernard Golden discusses what the takeaways from these announcements are for cloud CIOs.