Security remains a critical issue in the cloud. Last week, the U.S. government released its top seven tips for secure cloud adoption while an international team of scientists debuted perfectly secure cloud computing … using quantum physics. NIST Provides Concise Cloud Adoption Guide The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced last week its top seven tips for secure cloud adoption. Though initially intended for agencies and contractors, Forbes reporter Joe McKendrick argues that the tips are just as applicable for private-sector organizations as well — and we agree. Here are NIST’s top pointers: Plan – Cloud computing, as with any new technology, requires strategic and thoughtful planning to ensure that sensitive data remains secure Understand – “Understanding the policies, procedures, and technical controls used by a cloud provider is a prerequisite to assessing the security and privacy risks involved.” Align – When adopting a cloud service.