Assurance in the Cloud

Session Date & Time: Day 2, March 24, 6:45pm EST (3:45 pm PST) (45 minutes)
Keywords: Cloud Testing.
Authors: Cara Beston, Systems & Process Assurance Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers; Scott Greenfield,Systems & Process Assurance Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Abstract:
The business issues and challenges of cloud computing are raising greater awareness of the risks of moving business-critical IT out of the direct control of management. These risks are prominent among the considerations of potential and existing Customers, resulting in a greater attention to the balance of the benefits and the risks, and related potential compliance costs. Customers are demanding assurance that these areas are controlled, but it has been a challenge for Providers to offer this assurance because no single standardized report covers all the inherent risks of SaaS, PaaS and IaaS services. Providers need a more effective third party assurance reporting method.

Cara Beston,
Systems & Process Assurance Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers

Cara is the National Technology sector leader for PwC’s Systems & Process Assurance practice based in San Jose, CA.

She is also a member of PwC’s national Cloud Action Committee. She specializes in IT and process risk and control assurance services to IT, Internal Audit and business leaders in the Technology sector.

In her 21 years with PwC, Cara has served over 80 technology clients, including key Cloud enabling enterprises, Cisco Systems, VMware, 3Par, SaaS providers, and a number of on-line businesses including Shutterfly, CBS Interactive, Zappos.com and others.

Cara graduated summa cum laude from Bridgewater College, MA and is a member of the AICPA. She lives in Pleasanton, CA with her husband and 3 children.

Scott Greenfield
Systems & Process Assurance Partner
Systems Assurance - IT Governance & Risk Management - Third Party Assurance
 
Scott Greenfield is the US Sector Leader of the Systems and Process Assurance practice for PricewaterhouseCoopers. Internationally respected as a trusted business partner, Scott leverages his global experience in leading high performing diverse teams in providing Technology Risk Management solutions for Multi-National Corporations.
With over 23 years of experience in Information Technology Risk Management, Scott has spent the last ten years focused on Global Third Party Assurance initiatives in six continents and approximately thirty countries. In this capacity Scott has developed a global approach to Third Party Assurance and has built Global delivery teams in multiple territories including teams focused on off-shoring in emerging markets such as India and Eastern Europe.
 
Scott’s focus is on technology and outsourcing sectors but in the course of his career has extensive experience across multiple industries focused on Information Technology Risk including Pre and Post implementation reviews, IT Infrastructure Reviews, IT Governance, Enterprise Risk Management and Third Party Assurance.
 
Scott has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Hofstra University with a specialization in Accounting and Information Systems. He resides in the NYC area with his wife and two children.