On December 9, 2010 the US Chief Information Officer Vivek Kundra released a "25 Point Implementation Plan to Reform Federal Information Technology Management". Many of the points in this plan are consistent with recommendations previously made by ACT-IAC. One of these recommendations, and a major priority in the Administration’s plan, is shift to a “Cloud First Policy”.
ACT-IAC is working closely with the General Services Administration (GSA) on the Federal Cloud Computing Initiative (FCCI) to provide advice for challenges that surround Cloud Computing adoption within the Federal Government. Most recently the ACT-IAC Cross-SIG Cloud Computing Task Group was engaged by GSA and a working group was formed to develop a paper that provides an industry perspective on the security risks and unique challenges to cloud computing.
GSA is seeking assistance to address the challenges associated with cloud computing and identity management. The Cross-SIG Cloud Computing Task Group is currently seeking volunteers to create a white paper that will:
· Address major concerns related to identity management within the cloud ecosystem
· Provide standard technical and functional considerations as a guide/checklist that agencies can utilize
· Provide a functional overview to CXOs and system managers on cloud computing in the context of identity management
The overall scope of the identity management white paper is not finalized; we will refine and focus the scope over the coming weeks. This project is expected to take 3-4 months to complete.
The Cloud Computing Identity Management Working Group chaired by Michael Donovan is currently seeking nominations for a vice chair as well as volunteers. If you are interested in participating please click here and provide your contact information and a brief explanation of why you are interested in participating. The deadline to submit nominations is COB Friday, May 20.
If you have any further questions regarding this initiative, please contact Cross-SIG Cloud Computing Task Group Lead Habib Nasibdar, or ACT-IAC SIG Director John Shaw.