January 19, 2012

2 Min Read
SSAE 16 Audits Gain Momentum With Cloud Data Center Providers

By samdizzy

serviceGuarantee

When it comes to cloud computing data center audits, everyone seems to be jumping on the SSAE 16 bandwagon. Indeed, SSAE 16 is a relatively new audit standard that essentially replaces the aging SAS 70 standard. Scan the market and you’ll find numerous cloud computing companies and cloud services providers announcing SSAE 16 compliance since January 1, 2012. The big question: Will SSAE 16 really give customers peace of mind as they evaluate cloud data center partners?

Companies that have made SSAE 16 compliance announcements so far in January 2012 include:

  • 1102 Grand, which offers colocation facilities in Kansas City.

  • Agile-1, which provides managed services for workforce solutions.

  • CoreXchange, which has multiple Dallas data centers.

  • ePlus Inc., an IT service provider that has close relationships with HP, Cisco, VMware, NetApp, Microsoft, Symantec, IBM and Lenovo.

  • KineticD, which offers cloud backup and disaster recovery services for small and midsized businesses (SMBs).

  • Lucernex Technologies, which offers cloud-based real estate software applications.

  • OneNeck IT Services, the IT outsourcing specialist and managed services provider in Arizona.

  • Open Access Technology International Inc. (OATI), which develops smart grid solutions for the energy industry.

  • Skytap Inc., which develops self-service cloud automation solutions.

  • ViaWest, one of the largest privately-held data center, cloud and managed services providers in North America.

  • Windstream Hosted Solutions, which said more than a dozen of its U.S. data centers comply with SSAE 16.

Potential SSAE 16 Benefits

Generally speaking, SSAE 16 audits cover a lengthy list of requirements. But the SSAE 16 Resource Center points to five key benefits of an audit, noting that SSAE 16 ensures data centers have:

  2. sufficient data and power redundancy;

  4. appropriate physical security (security guards, biometric scanning, video cameras, etc.);

  6. monitors for excessive temperature fluctuations;

  8. timely alert tracking and reviews; and

  10. proper fire and water detection (and protection) systems.

SSAE 16 Problems and Limitations?

That list above sounds very promising. But SSAE 16 audits have their share of critics. In a recent editorial, Online Tech COO and President Mike Klein pointed out a range of potential problems with SSAE 16, alleging that the standard has set back the audit industry by 20 years. Klein’s company focuses on colocation services, managed services and  private cloud services.

I can’t endorse or refute the value of SSAE 16 audits, since I have no direct experience with the audits. But I will say this: A growing list of data center providers are jumping on the SSAE 16 audit bandwagon. End-customers could be the long-term winners. But the biggest short-term winners are the folks performing all the audits.

Read more about:

AgentsMSPsVARs/SIsChannel Research
Free Newsletters for the Channel
Register for Your Free Newsletter Now
Subscribe

You May Also Like

Galleries
See all
Sep 16 - Sep 19, 2024
Join us for MSP Summit, September 16-19, 2024 in Atlanta, GA. You don't want to miss the industry’s most innovative and inspiring gathering of business leaders focused on growing their managed services businesses. This year’s MSP Summit will help attendees stay ahead of exponentially increasing security threats, expanding their range of services through a merger or acquisition and embrace a wide range of innovative new technologies. Get notified when registration opens.
Sign Up For Special Deal