Another tip in a series provided by the Offices of Information Systems & Computing and Audit, Compliance & Privacy.

Cloud computing enables ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand access to a shared pool of configurable resources (networks, servers, storage, applications and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction.

Penn has been working with cloud vendors for several years to provide new learning and education delivery models, research models, security, and business on demand. Many cloud services are available to faculty and staff, including:

• Amazon Web Services—Dynamically scalable computing, storage and data access with pay-as-you-go pricing for the hardware and software delivered
• Canvas—Penn’s learning management system to share course materials, collect assignments, administer tests and communicate
• Google Apps for Education—Penn-customized email and collaboration tools including Google Calendar, Docs, Sites, Groups and Contacts
• Penn+Box—Collaboration service for securely sharing files and folders
• Penn’s LastPass Premium portal—Cloud password management tool
• Penn’s Lynda.com portal—Online training library of courses and tutorials
• Penn’s Qualtrics portal – Cloud-based survey tool
  Please contact your Local Support Provider if you have any questions about using the cloud services outlined above. For additional information about cloud computing at Penn as well as guidance on privacy and security, see the following links:
• ISC’s Cloud First Program – Positions Penn for the future of IT systems and services by pursuing a strategy that accelerates the speed of delivery and drives more value through technology to the Penn community
• Cloud Resources—Over 250 links including articles on planning and strategies, technical resources, self-directed learning, peer institutions’ cloud sites, and reference materials
• Privacy and Security Considerations in Cloud Computing—Tools and guidance on sharing Penn data with others, selecting vendors, and more
• Cloud Computing: Opportunities Used Safely—Opportunities, issues, safeguards, and requirements when using cloud computing (third-party) services involving University data