Public Funding for Pulsant (Scotland) Limited

Cloud computing is enabled by the use of virtualisation technology. It estimated that only 20% of the world’s existing server infrastructure is currently virtualised, and in the next decade this proportion is expected to rise dramatically. The Cloud thus allows for computing to be provided as a service, dramatically reducing the cost for organisations, and allowing them to partake in the use of extensive computing, and storage resources, at a significantly reduced cost. In addition, these new technologies ensure a greener use of computing resources, as they efficiently utilise capacity that would have otherwise been wasted, as well as ensuring ubiquitous access and service provision for communities. However, one of the main barriers to adoption of these new technologies is that of the uncertainty surrounding the security of new virtualisation technologies. The key objective of this applied research project was to accelerate the implementation of existing, cutting-edge, security software in the core layers of the cloud stack. The project has allowed inquisitive systems to accelerate their deployment of their flagship product, guardINQ, to various virtualised platforms. In doing so they have managed to verify the technical feasibility of doing so, through integration, deployment and performance measurement, as well as commercially verify the application of this approach through initial pilots, hosted in virtual environments, with important channel partners. Finally, each member of the consortia recognises the value of a continue relationship in order to further explore and exploit the technical and commercial opportunities.