Cloud Computing Agreements

Cloud-based services have exploded in popularity over the last decade due to their ability to provide the convenience of on-demand resources along with generating efficiencies by eliminating the need for dedicated hardware, software and ongoing maintenance. However, given the importance of information technology (IT) to most modern entities' operations, companies must balance the benefits of such outsourced cloud services with the risks associated with entrusting data and critical business processes to third parties. The rise of “big data” and business intelligence only raises the importance of a company's IT resources. Strong agreements are essential for any cloud service that supports critical IT systems. While the circumstances of each cloud implementation are different, this article provides an overview of key areas that need to be considered for any agreement to acquire cloud-based services.