Data Handling in Cloud Platform by Organizations using Information Security Checklist

In today’s world organizations are rapidly moving towards cloudification of their infrastructure and applications. Cloudification is the process of conversion and/or migration of data and application programs to make use of cloud computing. This trend involves both utilization of public cloud providers like Amazon, Azure, Google, IBM and private cloud providers like IBM Bluemix, Azure Private Cloud, etc. One of the most important challenges organization faces is the information security of data during the cloudification process and compliance requirements. The organization’s information consists of treasured information such as customer data, employee records, organization’s confidential data, etc. The potential impact of any data leak is enormous. This can cost an organization, both monetary and in loss of reputation. The organization needs fixed practice for checking, handling and preventing data loss in cloud. This paper is intended to showcase an Information Security Checklist format which can be used for verifying and handling the data on cloud. The algorithmic steps of using the security checklist are also discussed. The need to implement right Information Security Practices, necessary tools and methodology to be adopted in cloud systems to safeguard data are discussed.