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DIGITAL INFRASTUCTURE AUDIT >

Cloud Audit and Certification

Cloud is the modern requirement for robust application delivery. Whether public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, effective cloud implementation can be the key differentiator between success and failure of an organization. IDCA cloud audit ensures that the sourced cloud infrastructure and services meet the IDCA benchmarks as well as the organization’s efficacy objectives.

Request Cloud Audit

IDCA’s Cloud Audit renders complete inspection, report, recommendation and certification of organizations’ Application delivery claims and capabilities. IDCA cloud audit and assessments involved full inspection and certification of all the 7 efficacies as outlined by the Infinity Paradigm®, and the actual application needs to encompass the complete examination of Cloud layers: Platform and Compute.
Cloud Audit
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Cloud Layer Components

The “cloud” is a computing space that renders certain functionalities for the business. To provide these processing, storage and cloud computing capabilities a wide array of elements must be aligned to render the desired outcome. These elements include but are not limited to logical platform and compute components, IT infrastructure, data center infrastructure, SOPs, manuals, safety and security guidelines, human resources, vendor alignment, SLAs and OLAs, etc. IDCA promotes the pro-active means of addressing the availability and capacity demands, security requirements, safety measures and preventing disasters before they actually occur within the complex cloud environments.

The are six layers of the Cloud architecture, infrastructure and operations that will be part of the IDCA’s Cloud Audit Process.

1

Compute

The logical arrangement of computing resources. Compute is a layer in which processing requirements of the application are defined in an abstract form. The compute cycle cloud would subsequently map to actual virtual or physical cores in the IT Infrastructure layer.

The components involved in the Compute layer of the AE® include: Request a Compute Audit

  • Virtualization Infrastructure
  • Server Virtualization
  • Storage Virtualization
  • Network Virtualization
  • Virtualization Security
  • Virtualization High-Availability (HA)
  • Virtualization Operations
  • Cloud Infrastructure
  • Cloud Platform
  • Cloud Orchestration
  • Cloud Security
  • Cloud High-Availability (HA)
  • Cloud Operations
  • Virtualization & Cloud Efficiency
  • Virtualization & Cloud Management
  • Virtualization & Cloud Security
1

IT Infrastructure (ITI)

IT Infrastructure (ITI) is set of physical components at the information technology level, utilized for the application delivery, housed at the data center node. The ITI specifies the network, the servers, the storage, etc. infrastructure and related services that a given site is outfitted in order to meet the specifications of its supporting layers.

The components involved in the ITI layer of the AE® include:

  • Data Center Systems Audit
  • Data Center Network Audit
  • Data Center Security Audit
Data Center Network Audit

Data Center Network Audit

Request a Network Audit
  • Logical Architecture
  • Physical Architecture
  • Network Saturation, Optimization and Performance
  • IPv4 and IPv6
  • Routing
  • IGP
  • BGP
  • OSPF, VRRP, ATM Frame Relay, MPLS
  • Peering
  • Layer 1-7 Switching
  • Access Switching
  • Distribution Switching
  • Core Switching
  • Load Balancing
  • Packet Shaping
Data Center Security Audit

Data Center Security Audit

Request Audit
  • Security Administration
  • Security Monitoring
  • Security Dashboard
  • External Application Security
  • Network edge security
  • Inter-Application & Intra-Application Security
  • Software Infrastructure Security
  • Packet Inspection Firewalls (PIF)
  • Application Firewalls
  • Filtering
  • VPN
  • Antimalware
  • System Upgrade
  • IDS
  • IPS
  • Encryption
  • Authentication
  • Logs
Data Center Systems Audit

Data Center Systems Audit

Request a Systems Audit
  • Proxies, Application Severs and DBs
  • CPU, RAM and Disks
  • Utilization, Optimization and Performance
  • Software Infrastructure
  • Operating Systems (OS)
  • Clusters, Modular and Blade Servers
  • DAS, NAS, SAN
  • Data Compression
  • Data De-duplication
  • Data Encryption
  • Automatic Tiering
  • Thin Provisioning
  • Disk Health and Disk Fragmentation
  • Disk Arrays and RAIDs
  • Data Integrity
  • Virus Protection
  • Inter-System Redundancy
  • Backup, Mirroring and Replication
  • Data Recovery
  • Diversity
2

Site Facility Infrastructure (SFI)

A set of components, at the facility level, utilized for the application delivery, housed at the data center node.

The SFI specifies the power, cooling, etc. infrastructure and related services that a site is outfitted in order to meet the specs of its supporting layers.

The components involved in the SFI layer of the AE® include:

  • Data Center Power Audit
  • Data Center Cooling Audit
  • Data Center Structured Cabling Audit
Data Center Power Audit

Data Center Power Audit

Request a Power Audit
  • Electrical Architecture
  • SLDs
  • Electrical Distribution
  • DBs
  • Electrical Redundancy
  • Electrical Capacity, Quality & Reliability
  • Switchgear
  • Circuit Breakers
  • Arc Management
  • Xformers
  • Static & Rotary UPS Systems
  • PDUs
  • Earthing & Grounding
  • Bonding
  • ATS & STS
  • Open Transition & Closed Transition
  • Load Walk-in & Parallel Operation
  • TVSS
  • EPO
  • System Monitoring
  • Electrical Wires
  • Busbars
  • Battery Configuration
  • Flooded & VRLA types batteries
  • Battery Rooms
  • Standby Generators
  • DC Power
  • Load Banks
  • Lighting
  • Labeling
Data Center Cooling Audit

Data Center Cooling Audit

Request a Cooling Audit
  • Cooling Strategy
  • Cooling Design & Architecture
  • Cooling Capacities & Possibilities
  • Sensible Heat Ration (SHR)
  • Cooling Types
  • CRACs & CRAHs
  • In-Rack Cooling systems
  • In-Row Cooling Systems
  • Cold Aisle & Hot Aisle Containment
  • Direct Expansion (DX)
  • Chilled Water Systems
  • Water-Cooled Systems
  • Free Air Cooling
  • Hybrid Cooling
  • Evaporative Cooling
  • Liquid Cooling
  • ΔT Management
  • Precision Air Conditioning
  • Measurements, Logs & Monitoring Systems
  • Humidification & Dehumidification
  • Heat Rejection
  • Air-Cooled & Water-Cooled Chillers
  • Air Quantity & Pressure Management
  • Static Management
  • Air Quality Treatment & Filtering
  • Temperature Management
  • Air Contamination Management
  • Distribution Paths
  • Piping & Plumbing
  • Drainage
  • Water Supply Management & Storage
  • Fire Zones, Extinguishers & Dampers
  • Fire & Flood Protection Systems
Data Center Structured Cabling Audit

Data Center Structured Cabling Audit

Request a Structured Cabling Audit
  • Racks & Cabinets
  • Cabling Topology & Architecture
  • MDAs, HDAs, ZDAs, & EDAs
  • Horizontal Cabling
  • Backbone Cabling
  • Cabling Topologies
  • Single Mode Fiber
  • Multimode Fiber
  • UTP, FTP, STP
  • Cable Grounding
  • Cabling Distances
  • Cabling Separation
  • Cable Trays
  • Cabling Management
  • Intelligent Cabling
  • Color Schemes
  • Labeling
3

Site

An independently operated space to house data center infrastructure. The requirement specifications of Application, Platform, Compute, ITI, SFI and Topology dictate the qualifications and provisions of the Data Center Node Site.

The components involved in the Site layer of the AE® include:

  • Data Center Site & Building Audit
  • Data Center Safety Audit
  • Data Center Site Security Audit
  • Data Center Telecom Audit
  • Data Center Utilities Audit
Data Center Site & Building Audit

Data Center Site & Building Audit

Request a Site & Building Audit
  • Site Location
  • Lands
  • Natural Environment Hazards
  • Proximity to Risk-Prone Areas
  • Air Quality
  • Seismic Loading & Performance
  • Green Field or Existing Building
  • Neighboring Lands, Building & Activities
  • Data Center Building
  • Longevity & Flexibility
  • Dedicated or Shared Building
  • Ground Water Saturation, Water Table, etc.
  • 100-Year Flood Plain Potential
  • Multi-Tenant Occupancy
  • Design
  • Wind Rating & Resistance
  • Noise Levels
  • Parking
  • Building Types
  • Building Structure & Construction
  • Building Materials & Components
  • Site & Building History
  • Transportation & Roads Access
  • Local Codes
  • Building Codes
  • Building Restrictions
  • Loading Capacities
  • Hanging Capacities
  • Glass & Windows
  • Required Spaces
  • Raised Floor & Suspended Ceilings
  • Clear Heights
  • Site & Building Reliability
  • Industry Relevance
  • Environmental Considerations
  • Accessibility
  • Loading Dock
  • Roofing
  • Doors & Gates
  • Entrances
  • Administrative Offices
  • Operations Center
  • Restrooms & Break Rooms
  • Offices & Support Areas
  • UPS & Battery Rooms
  • Fuel Storage Areas
  • Service Access & Corridors
  • Pathways
  • Exit Routes & Doors
  • Staging Areas
  • Shipping & Receiving Areas (Holding areas)
Data Center Safety Audit

Data Center Safety Audit

Request a Safety Audit
  • Safety Systems & Methods
  • Safety Administration
  • Emergency Plan
  • Personnel Health Awareness & Training
  • Radiation Levels (Radio, Microwave, EMF, etc.)
  • Fire Rated Components
  • Fire Prevention
  • Fire Detection Methods
  • Aspiring Smoke Detection (VESDA, HSSD, etc.)
  • Fire Suppression Systems
  • Halocarbon & Inert Fire Suppression
  • Agents Quantities & Qualities
  • Water-Based Suppression
  • Flood Protection
  • Leak Detection
  • Signage
  • Exits & Escape Routes
  • Alarm
  • Strobe Light
  • Telephone/Intercom
  • Gas Release Abort Mechanism
  • First Aid Kits
  • Cleansing Facilities
  • AHJ Compliance
Data Center Site Security Audit

Data Center Site Security Audit

Request a Security Audit
  • Building Security
  • Site Security
  • Security Apparatus
  • Security Offices
  • Bullet Resistance
  • Monitoring
  • Perimeter Fencing
  • RFID
  • Surveillance
  • CCTV
  • DVR, NVR, etc.
  • Motion Sensing
  • Patrol Guards
  • Vehicle Management
  • Tracking & Tracing of Vehicles, People, Equipment
  • Access Points
  • Mantraps
  • Security Escort
  • Security Kiosks
  • Physical Barriers
  • Fences, Barricades, Gates, etc.
  • Cages
  • Authentication Systems (badge reader, biometric, etc.)
Data Center Telecom Audit

Data Center Telecom Audit

Request a Telecom Audit
  • Carriers & Providers
  • Symmetric, Asymmetric, TDM Transmission
  • Digital Signal, T/E Carrier System
  • Synchronous Transport (STS, STM, OC)
  • Dark Fiber
  • Peering Exchange
  • Delivery Paths
  • NLOS/LOS Wireless Communication
  • Provider SLAs
  • Redundancy
  • Diversity
  • Capacity
  • Entrance Rooms
  • Demarcation points
  • Terminations
  • Speed, Availability & Latency
  • Labeling
Data Center Utilities Audit

Data Center Utilities Audit

Request a Utilities Audit
  • Power Generation Sources
  • Power Transmission to Site
  • Power Feed Classifications
  • Power Supply Reliability
  • Electrical Substations
  • Utility Transformers
  • Electrical Entries & Redundancies
  • Gas Supply Sources
  • Gas Supply Capacities & Reliability
  • Onsite Power Generation
  • Fuel Storage
  • Cogeneration
  • Renewable Energy Possibilities
  • Water Supply Sources & Capacities
  • Gray Water
  • Water Storage
  • Water Treatment
  • Municipal or Private Sewer
5

Topology

The connectedness, continuity and boundaries signifying a set of correlations, connections, dependencies, and relations between various data center node sites for the delivery of the organization’s application. Topology specifies the physical location, interconnectivity and interrelation of data center sites (Physical Data Center Sites Map).

Specification of the Application, Platform and Compute as well as the requirements of the to-be-hosted SFI and ITI lead to selection and specification of the underlying Topology.

The components involved in the Topology layer of the AE® include:

  • Data Center Cloud (DCC) Specification
  • Topology Architecture
  • BCP & Topology Alignment
  • Topology Utility Provisioning
  • Data Center Cloud (DCC) Implementation
  • Number of Data Center Nodes (DCNs) within Topology
  • DCN Specifications within Topology
  • Physical Data Center Cloud (DCC) Configuration
  • Topology Telecom
  • Inter-Connectivity between DCNs
  • Topology Security
  • Topology Resilience
  • Topology Capacity
  • Topology Availability
  • Topology AHJ Adherence
  • Topology Industry Relevance
  • Economics & Presence of Topology
  • Topology Personnel Skill Fitness & HR
  • Topology Maintenance & Management
“Comprehensive, Effective, Detailed and Groundbreaking”
IDCA cloud audits can be conducted at three (3) distinct phases of the cloud design, development and maintenance lifecycle:
Phase 1
Design Phase
If the ecosystem, application, IT, cloud or data center has been designed, IDCA can audit the drawings, schematics and design files to highlight all compliance flaws, efficiency gaps and vulnerabilities and provide you a comprehensive report per the findings. Upon completion of the design audit the organization will be graded and rated per IDCA G Levels and applicable certification will be issued.
Request Design Audit!
1

Stage 1
Audit Kickoff Workshop

2

Stage 2
Design Files Batch Submission

3

Stage 3
Design Assessment & Review

4

Stage 4
Compliance Analysis

5

Stage 5
Report Writing

6

Stage 6
Report Submission & Certification

7

Stage 7
Report & Certification Workshop

Phase 2
Build Phase
IDCA can audit already developed and built ecosystems, applications, IT, cloud or data center platforms before they become fully commissioned into live production. The audit will ensure lack of inconsistency and discrepancy of the completed project vs the original intents of the design and industry’s best practices per the IDCA standards. Upon completion of the audit the organization will be graded and rated per IDCA G Levels and applicable certification will be issued.
Request Build Audit!
1

Stage 1
Audit Kickoff Workshop

2

Stage 2
Design and Build Documentation Batch Submission

3

Stage 3
On-site Audit & Assessment

4

Stage 4
Compliance Analysis

5

Stage 5
Report Writing

6

Stage 6
Report Submission & Certification

7

Stage 7
Report & Certification Workshop

Phase 3
Operations Phase
IDCA audits can be conducted while live operations are underway to assess the true capabilities of the application IT, cloud, or data center and the entire application ecosystem. This exercise will ensure that all probably operational flaws, downtimes, inefficiencies and hurdles to be identified and highlighted. Upon completion of the audit the organization will be graded and rated per IDCA G Levels and applicable certification will be issued.
Request Operations Audit!
1

Stage 1
Audit Kickoff Workshop

2

Stage 2
Design and Build Documentation Batch Submission

3

Stage 3
On-site Audit & Assessment

4

Stage 4
Compliance Analysis

5

Stage 5
Report Writing

6

Stage 6
Report Submission & Certification

7

Stage 7
Report & Certification Workshop

Addressing the complexities of the Cloud

When thinking of the prevailing next-generation IDCA application audit and certification, answering some of the below questions can shed light into the immediate benefit for the application stakeholder:

How can you slash your cloud Opex by meaningful margins?

Can your cloud actually deliver the end-user needs?

Is your hybrid, public or private cloud ideal for your specific application needs?

How efficient is your cloud?

How secure is your cloud?

What are the true availability and reliability facts about your cloud infrastructure?

Does your cloud architecture provide you the right capacity and control for the coming years?

How can you improve disaster prevention, power and cooling robustness, structural reliability, safety and security effectiveness?

How can you improve your cloud documentation such as SOPs, policies and manuals?

Is your operation aligned with your infrastructure?

Are your cloud components technologically correct?

Are you future-proof?

Are you certified?

What is your ESR score?

Who's the auditor?Cloud Certified Auditor (CLCA)®

At the midst of the data center, big data, and cloud management boom, official IDCA Cloud Certified Auditors (CLCAs)® play a critical role in the coming age. For the information technology community, ensuring that the facilities and IT are in alignment to the business continuity, application and business needs and maintaining efficiency, security, safety, capacity, resilience, innovation and operability are key. A CLCA® has traveled a long and extensive journey, fulfilling requirements after requirement to reach the stage of being able to assess and certify mission critical data centers. All CLCA™s have become a Cloud Authority (CLA)®, which means they are industry veterans, with many years of in-depth expertise, successfully completed all IDCA education and certification ladder; have contributed significantly to the cloud industry and community; and on top of all the above, have completed the rigid CLCA® program. The CLCA® program is a highly certified auditors ideal for handling most complex clolud industry’s compliance needs, only available to certified CLAs.

ReportsComprehensive, detailed, informative, logical, educating, life saving and essential!

Due to its universally effective approach, IDCA audit reports are highly regarded for their comprehensiveness, details, and effectiveness for the organization under assessment. The audit reports typically become part of the organization’s educational process in order to educate and inform the cloud operations, maintenance, design and implementation staff to understand the mistakes, flaws and shortfalls and ensure such will not repeat themselves in the future. In addition, the report becomes a reference point for upcoming projects and a benchmark of compliance matrix for minimizing risks and non-compliances in the future. The cloud undergoing IDCA audit can expect to receive grade certification and classification per every high-level component of its infrastructure, i.e. SFI G1, Site G2, and G3. The report will also include the results of measurements and scans in accordance to IDCA.

Why IDCA?Application-centric, cutting edge, IT and Facility encompassing, Infrastructure and Operation enabling, educating, assuring, cutting-edge.

IDCA is the first organization in the world that addresses the cloud in its true essence and entirety. Having a comprehensive approach that validates both the logical as well as the physical cloud components, layers, efficacies, and disciplines is the cornerstone that all cloud providers and stakeholders of private cloud, public cloud, multi-cloud, or hybrid cloud are in-line with the true disciplines of the industry. IDCA has pioneered the notion of application-centric infrastructures and the Application Ecosystem (AE)®. Therefore, it is an absolute advantage and invaluable resolution to follow IDCA’s cloud audit, assessment and certification guidelines.

Cloud AuditChoose the right Audit for your Cloud

IDCA provides audit services for your cloud infrastructure based on the seven efficaies of the Infinity Paradigm. Please select the right audit for your Cloud Infrastructure below:

CLOUDSecurity Audit and Certification

Cloud security breaches are one of the main cybersecurity root-causes of a critical breach to organizations processes and hurdle to business sustainability. IDCA’s cloud security audit and certification process ensures that there are no security loopholes or vulnerabilities.

CLOUDResilience Audit and Certification

Cloud resilience is the Cloud’s ability to recover from disaster as efficiently as possible. IDCA’s information technology resilience audit and certification process will ensure the optimization of data reliability and imbedded resilience.

CLOUDAvailability Audit and Certification

Availability of data denotes to the capability in maintaining the data while always serving organization needs without downtime or failure. IDCA’s Cloud availability audit and certification process will ensure the holistic and maximization of the information technology and data’s availability.

CLOUDEfficiency Audit and Certification

The efficiency of the Cloud is highly vital as it denotes to the resources that are spent on the data. IDCA’s efficiency audit and certification process ensures that the data runs as efficiently in order to ensure maximum output with minimum TCO possible.

CLOUDOperation Audit and Certification

Cloud operation denotes to the management and oversee of the cloud. IDCA’s operation audit and certification ensure the cloud has the correct oversight and management in order to ensure maximum delivery.

CLOUDCapacity Audit and Certification

Cloud capacity is the technology’s ability to respond to issues as well as performing as optimally as possible. IDCA’s efficiency audit and certification process ensures that the data runs as smoothly as possible whilst maintaining safe capacity.

CLOUDInnovation Audit and Certification

Cloud innovation relates to the creativity and innovation behind the technology. IDCA’s Cloud innovation audit and certification provides room for promoting innovative technology and methodologies that make the cloud operationally reliable and efficient.

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