The document discusses effective and secure use of cloud computing. It provides an overview of cloud computing definitions, models, characteristics and publications from NIST. It outlines some advantages of cloud computing including scalability, redundancy and automated security management. However, it also discusses challenges around data privacy, isolation, logging and dependence on secure hypervisors. The document proposes migration paths to cloud including public, private or hybrid cloud models and calls for standards to enable interoperability across cloud platforms.