Chris Marsden, CEO

Despite the many benefits of cloud computing, a significant portion of business leaders and political agencies across the globe are avoiding this kind of data aggregation because of serious cyber threats. By taking a quick look at the news cycle, you'll find that their fears are justified.

From high profile data breaches against Sony Pictures and bitcoin to less discussed cyberattacks against hospitals and federal entities, hackers are roaming data centers and disrupting regular business activities. While tech engineers and IT managers are doing their best to weather the storm, it has become increasingly clear that many businesses and organizations will need much greater cybersecurity measures going forward.

State Department faces ongoing hacker threats
According to The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. Department of State confirmed hackers in its network three months ago, yet has been unable to root them out. The National Security Agency and external contractors have done their best to assist the agency, but their efforts haven't been fruitful. That said, this isn't unusual territory for the State Department.

"We deal successfully with thousands of attacks every day," Marie Harf, the spokeswoman for the State Department, said in a written statement, the news outlet reported. "We take any possible cyber intrusion very serious – as we did with the one we discussed several months ago – and we deal with them in conjunction with other relevant government agencies."

Russian hacker extradited to United States
A Russian hacker has been extradited to the U.S. and recently appeared in a federal court in Newark, New Jersey, according to the Department of Justice. Vladimir Drinkman, a 34-year-old hacker from Syktyvkar and Moscow, Russia, has been charged as a contributor to the data theft of more than 160 million credit card numbers, which led to hundreds of millions of dollars in losses.

"Hackers often take advantage of international borders and differences in legal systems, hoping to evade extradition to face justice," said Leslie R. Caldwell, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department's Criminal Division. "This case and today's extradition demonstrates that through international cooperation and through great teamwork between the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security, we are able to bring cyber thieves to justice in the United States, wherever they may commit their crimes."

Political agencies should embrace biometrics
No matter the federal agency, executives should adopt biometric technology to better protect sensitive intelligence against hackers. This form of data center security calls for personal identification and ensures access control to only the right workers.

The U.S. economy finished 2014 on a high note and seems poised to continue its upswing over the course of the new year. Recent polls indicate that consumer confidence is rising. The investment community is fully engaged in a variety of startups from many different sectors. The vast majority of economists and analysts predict that the financial vitality will hold steady over at least the next few months. These effects have significantly bolstered business activity, thereby creating expansion opportunities for tech companies across the U.S.

However, as these major tech companies look to improve their infrastructural capabilities and grow their workforce, they will have to be cognizant of data breach threats. Cybersecurity is of the utmost importance in the digital age.

Apple to build new data center in Phoenix suburb
Apple recently announced that it will spend approximately $2 billion over the next 10 years so it can open a data center in Mesa, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey praised the decision and said that it proves the state's quality as a supporter of tech business.

"This multibillion dollar project is one of the largest investments we've ever made, and when completed it will add over 600 engineering and construction jobs to the more than 1 million jobs Apple has already created in the U.S.," the company said in a statement, according to the publication.

Amazon on the rise in Oregon
Amazon may build as many as 11 data centers in Oregon, according to Oregon Live. The company already runs four data centers in eastern Oregon, but hopes to significantly bolster its operations in the state.

The news outlet noted that data centers are the second greatest part of Oregon's tech industry in regards to capital investment. Companies such as Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon have all flocked to the state because it doesn't have a sales tax on computers that operate server farms. Oregon also exempts certain data centers from standard property taxes.

Biometrics are an essential part of tech growth
As tech businesses such as Apple and Amazon take advantage of the strong financial climate, they will need to shore up their cybersecurity measures as well. While encryption and decentralization are worthwhile tactics, biometric technology has been shown to be the most effective security strategy. And for even more effective management of access control, chief executives should consider a dual-access system.

The proliferation of cloud computing has enabled businesses across the globe to streamline their operations in a variety of ways. The cloud's abilities to ease and expedite data storage, access, backup and sharing – the last of which encourages workplace collaboration – are perhaps the most widely cited reasons for adoption. There are many other benefits on top of these, such as the cloud's ability to a significantly reduce a company's carbon footprint and the capability of an organization that uses cloud computing to quickly globalize its workforce. 

Yet despite these positives, the threat of data breaches continues to be a serious concern for the vast majority of chief executives. Recent high-profile attacks against Sony Pictures, bitcoin, Home Depot, Target and a host of others, have renewed these widespread fears. For some business leaders, their lack of faith in cybersecurity measures has led them to avoid the cloud altogether. However, for many other operations, as the news cycle continues to tell us, the advantages of cloud computing are too beneficial to ignore.

Marriott offers the cloud to guests through IBM partnership
Marriott, the popular hotel chain, has reached a deal with IBM that will bring the software company's cloud service to more than 4,000 properties across the globe. Robert LeBlanc, senior president for IBM Cloud, said that business leaders are beginning to gain a better understanding of the importance of the cloud in the digital era. Bruce Hoffmeister, global chief information officer of Marriott International, echoed this sentiment.

"Marriott continually transforms its technology to ensure we provide a seamless and enjoyable experience for guests throughout their entire stay," Hoffmeister said. "IBM Cloud provides the analytics to see early stage data patterns and the scale and flexibility to enable timely, innovative new services that will meet guests' expectations in a predominantly digital world."

Denver cloud service provider raises $3.9 million in venture capital
Dizzion, a computer technologies company based in Denver, recently announced that it has raised $3.9 million in venture capital to grow its workforce and business operations. The company makes virtual computer desktop services that help workers implement cloud-based applications into their daily routine.

"Desktop virtualization is expected to grow to a $5.6 billion industry, and we believe this market has the potential to expand further as corporate computing adapts to cloud-based technologies," Joe Zell, general partner of Grotech Ventures based in Denver, told the news outlet.

Using the cloud? Consider biometrics
Businesses that are heavily immersed in the cloud computing revolution, such as IBM and Dizzion, should invest in biometric security and encourage their clients to do the same. Companies of all kinds are already investing in a wide range of cybersecurity strategies, such as encryption and data dispersion. While these tactics can be useful and quite often worthwhile, they are not enough for businesses that need to secure large batches of information and keep hackers at bay.

Biometrics is a burgeoning preventative measure that can work well with companies of all sizes. This form of data center security requires personal identification such as fingerprints or voice and facial recognition to enable access control to only the right employees. And as more and more companies adopt cloud computing and other kinds of centralized data storage, biometrics will only become a bigger and more important part of the business world.

Meanwhile, dual-access systems might just be the most effective type of cybersecurity on the market. This kind of biometric security mandates the use of two separate IDs from two different people at the same time. While engineers are still developing this innovation, it has been shown to be the most effective type of biometric technology.

Some of the most high-profile cyberattacks have been against brands that are easily identifiable to just about anyone. Recent hacks that made their rounds in the news cycle include bitcoin, Home Depot, Target and Sony Pictures. Yet as cloud computing and other forms of centralized data storage are gaining popularity, cyberattacks are also disrupting a wide range of businesses that may not be at the forefront of America's attention.

The healthcare industry has been a regular victim of cyber crime over the past few years. And while tech engineers are doing their best to counter these threats with cybersecurity innovations, the problem has yet to be resolved.

Anthem hack directly affects millions of people
USA Today reported that a cyberattack has resulted in as many as 80 million customers of Anthem Inc. having their account information stolen.

Joseph Swedish, president and CEO of Anthem, the second largest health insurance provider in the country, said that the company was the victim of a highly sophisticated cyberattack. The hackers tapped into the company's database and took information such as names, birthdays, Social Security numbers, street and email address, employment information and medical IDs.

"The Anthem insurance company breach is another in a long line of breaches that continue to have a deep and disheartening effect on consumer behavior and the smooth flow of commerce both her at home and worldwide," Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Mississippi), ranking member of the Committee on Homeland Security, told the news outlet.

Healthcare company in New York also loses records to data breach
Senior Health Partners, a company that manages Medicaid and Medicare plans, announced that a cyberattacker purloined the healthcare records of 2,700 members, Modern Healthcare reported.

While the company's encryption strategy could have helped prevent the data breach, SHP noted that the encryption key was also stolen.

"SHP is reviewing and updating its policies and procedures and those of its business associates to prevent a similar incident from recurring," a company statement noted, according to the news outlet.

Biometrics shown to prevent data breaches
Anthem Inc., SHP and a host of other healthcare companies are undoubtedly reassessing their security measures in the aftermath of these costly data breaches. To ensure the most effective approach to data safety, healthcare chief executives should implement biometric technology. This kind of system requires unique physical traits such as a fingerprint to enable access control. And for the most surefire method, dual access biometrics is an elite form of cybersecurity.

Cloud computing offers businesses a wide range of benefits, including the ability to store, share and back up large amounts of company data. However, many chief executives have resisted the technology because they fear data breaches.

Over the past few months, high-profile cyberattacks against bitcoin, Home Depot and Target have hit the news cycle and renewed the widespread fear of hackers. Perhaps the most heavily publicized cyberattack involved Sony Pictures. The U.S. government alleged that North Korea attacked the film maker because of "The Interview," a movie that makes fun of political leader Kim Jong-un.

Meanwhile, tech innovators and policy makers have spent plenty of time working on cybersecurity efforts to ease the trepidations of cloud computing and any other kind of centralized database.

US government announces cybersecurity investment in budget plan
The Obama administration aims to spend almost $14 billion on its federal government cybersecurity initiative, according to The Washington Times. The figure marks an approximate $1 billion increase from previous budgets.

"Cyber resources will expand digital forensic expertise, provide training on cyber crime and digital evidence prosecutors and bolster cyber crime prosecutorial efforts nationwide," the Justice Department said in a statement, according to the news outlet.

Massachusetts cybersecurity firms appreciate the focus
Cybersecurity firms throughout Massachusetts commended the government's budget proposal, which would lead to more prevention capabilities and diagnostics, among other advancements, according to the Boston Business Journal.

"Federal spending on cybersecurity will definitely have an impact on Boston area cybersecurity companies," Patrick Morley, CEO of Bit9 + Carbon Black, a cybersecurity firm based in Burlington, Massachusetts, told the news outlet. "The adversary is relentless and always evolving. Government spending needs to be focused on both the basics as well as advanced security, which matches where the adversary is now."

Policy makers should consider biometrics
Chief executives and policy makers who are focusing on different cybersecurity efforts should talk openly about biometric data centers as a feasible and effective option for information storage. Biometric security uses only the most advanced systems that call for unique physical traits such as a fingerprint. This form of data center security is one of the most surefire ways to ensure that only the right people with the right fingerprints have access control to valuable company data.

Research shows that dual-access systems are the most effective kind of biometric data center in regards to cyber crime prevention. This strategy requires two separate identifications from two individuals at the same time.