“Board members need a clear understanding of cloud computing benefits and how to maximize them through effective governance practices,” said Marc Vael, an ISACA board member and chief IT audit executive at Smals. “This requires the board to see cloud computing not as an IT project, but rather as a business strategy.” Bypassing established governance processes and failing to inform others within the enterprise about cloud computing initiatives may result in the enterprise assuming unknown risk and, thereby, increasing potential exposure. Without close monitoring and proper discipline, cost overruns may result if services are not turned off when they are no longer needed. Individually purchased services may conflict with established technology strategies. In some instances, acquisition of cloud services resulted in regulatory problems—problems that could have been avoided if usage plans were communicated and systematically considered beforehand.
According to ISACA, a nonprofit, independent association of more than 100,000 governance, risk, security and assurance professionals worldwide, boards should address five key questions to determine the strategic value that cloud services are expected to provide and the impact that the cloud may have on resources and controls:
“The answers to these questions will help determine the enterprise’s readiness to adopt cloud computing and also help ensure that the necessary governance is in place,” said Vael. The challenge is for board members to have sufficient understanding of the opportunity that cloud presents so that they can effectively direct and monitor plans to leverage cloud and promote success.
Read: www.isaca.org/cloud-governance
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
