Navigating the Complications of Cloud Security

Businesses worldwide are grappling with the need for robust cloud security. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the transition to cloud computing services, leading to aninflux of cybersecurity threats. Today, businesses must navigate the complexities of vendor management concerning their cloud security obligations. Data from Risk Based Security suggests that data breaches exposed 36 billion records in the first half of 2020 alone. An Exabeam survey of 500 IT professionals indicates that many cybersecurity specialists cannot carry out their duties adequately. Partnering with a services provider that can handle cloud security needs is more critical than ever.

The Hitchhikers Guide to IT explores this core question with host Michelle Dawn Mooney and her returning guest, Thomas Johnson, the National Cybersecurity Leader at BDO Digital. The pair continue their dialogue on this pressing issue. They began discussing cloud security in a previous episode and delved further into the topic in this second discussion. Highlights from Mooney and Johnson’s second conversation include:

  • Emphasizing the need to clarify roles and responsibilities with vendors, including defining incident management protocols
  • Highlighting the essential elements of business continuity, resiliency planning, and availability in incident management
  • The need for a robust, usable disaster recovery and business continuity plan and the role of incident response within this framework

Recent Episodes

The rise of generative AI and large-scale model training has transformed data centers into high-intensity “AI factories,” where workloads are no longer predictable or gradual. Unlike traditional cloud environments, AI data centers generate highly volatile and fast-changing power loads. Research shows that large-scale AI workloads can trigger rapid, synchronized spikes and drops in electricity…

The industry knows how to build data centers. What it’s still figuring out is how to turn on AI factories at scale. With facilities now crossing 100 megawatts—far beyond the 5 to 10 megawatt norm of traditional builds—operators are no longer just validating equipment. They’re testing whether entire systems—power, cooling, controls, and the teams behind…

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how organizations evaluate risk, analyze markets, and drive operational efficiency. In financial services alone, global AI spending is projected to surpass $97 billion by 2027, reflecting how deeply data-driven technologies are reshaping decision-making. For private equity firms—where hundreds of potential investments may be screened each year—the ability to analyze information…