A secure cloud computing event -- for real

The attendees of a morning-long symposium on secure cloud computing April 13 were taken by surprise when they had to walk through metal detectors under the watchful eyes of uniformed and plainclothes law enforcement officers to get in. The reason: The event was held at the Willard Hotel, just two blocks from the White House and part of the area cordoned off for two days for the Nuclear Security Summit.

The heads of state of Germany and India were among the dignitaries staying at the Willard. Greg Gianforte, chief executive officer of cloud-computing provider Right Now, and keynote speaker at the event, told the audience: "We believe this is the most secure event in the history of government computing."