Technology Is Critical Infrastructure | IaaS and TaaS
“We can no longer separate technology funding from infrastructure funding. In the days before technological integration into everyday infrastructure and supply chain, it made sense to separate those funding buckets. Today, however, all infrastructure Is completely reliant upon technology. Therefore, technology has become a component of infrastructure, TaaS (Technology as a Service) and IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service). In a way, the *only* infrastructure is technology.” – Hunter Storm
“The only infrastructure is technology.” – Hunter Storm
Security Architecture and TaaS
I posted this on LinkedIn back in 2021, but first began using the terminology I coined, IaaS and TaaS, in global enterprise information security settings many years before that. This post has stood the test of time, as it drew attention to the growing importance of technology, comparing it to other critical infrastructure, such as public utilities, financial services, public safety, and other core services.
Years ago in cybersecurity, we had multiple points to defend in the form of these various services. it was never easy from a protection perspective. However, it was easier to defend these environments and systems because the technology stack was less complex. The potential attack surface was minimized, and much easier to secure.
Today, vulnerabilities hide in parts of the technology stack that make it easier for malicious actors, but harder for cybersecurity defenders. This is why we need to build true defense-in-depth architecture, not rely upon adding layers of technology that only introduce new, hidden vulnerabilities.
Intelligent Tech Design and Operational Impact
In the average home or business, there is usually only localized impact if a component introduces risk. However, mission critical environments require the application of strenuous security measures, not simply the addition of the latest technology. That is the security architecture sweet spot, the intersection of intelligent design principles with intelligently designed technology products. Elegant, streamlined design translates into better operational security (OpSec). Following best practices means deploying and implementing what is necessary, not what is trendy.
“That is the security architecture sweet spot, the intersection of intelligent design principles with intelligently designed technology products.” – Hunter Storm
Keywords
- Critical Infrastructure
- Global Security
- Hunter Storm Original Quote
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
- National Security
- Quantum Computing
- Technology as a Service (TaaS)
- Technology
Discover More from Hunter Storm
- Hunter Storm | Official Site
- Hunter Storm | Our Story | One Woman, One Vision, One Site
- Professional Services
- Hunter Storm | Profile and Career Highlights
- Insider Threats | Subtle Sabotage in Web Hosting
- Navigating the Cloud Conundrum | Lessons from Global Outages and Best Practices for Secure Systems
- Navigating the Storm | Historical Cybersecurity Outage Lessons and Best Practices
- Preventing Website Sabotage | Essential Strategies for Site Security
- Projects
- Résumé | Strategic Operations and Hybrid Threat Expert – High Threat Environments
- Résumé | Wells Fargo Systems Architect
- Silent Sabotage of Cloud Security
- Site Policies | Terms of Service
- Technology Achievements
Reposted from original LinkedIn post Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Technology as a Service (TaaS), 2021.
About the Author | Hunter Storm | Technology Executive | Global Thought Leader | Keynote Speaker
CISO | Advisory Board Member | SOC Black Ops Team | Systems Architect | Strategic Policy Advisor | Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Quantum Innovator | Cyber-Physical-Psychological Hybrid Threat Expert | Ultimate Asymmetric Advantage
Background
Hunter Storm is a veteran Fortune 100 Chief Information Security Officer (CISO); Advisory Board Member; Security Operations Center (SOC) Black Ops Team Member; Systems Architect; Risk Assessor; Strategic Policy and Intelligence Advisor; Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Quantum Innovator, and Cyber-Physical-Psychological (Cyber-Phys-Psy) Hybrid Threat Expert; and Keynote Speaker with deep expertise in AI, cybersecurity, and quantum technologies.
Drawing on decades of experience in global Fortune 100 enterprises, including Wells Fargo, Charles Schwab, and American Express; aerospace and high-tech manufacturing leaders such as Alcoa and Special Devices (SDI) / Daicel Safety Systems (DSS); and leading technology services firms such as CompuCom, she guides organizations through complex technical, strategic, and operational challenges.
Hunter Storm combines technical mastery with real-world operational resilience in high-stakes environments.
Global Expert and Subject Matter Expert (SME) | AI, Cybersecurity, Quantum, and Strategic Intelligence
A recognized subject matter expert (SME) with top-tier expert networks including GLG (Top 1%), AlphaSights, and Third Bridge, Hunter Storm advises Board Members, CEOs, CTOs, CISOs, Founders, and Senior Executives across technology, finance, and consulting sectors. Her insights have shaped policy, strategy, and high-risk decision-making at the intersection of AI, cybersecurity, quantum technology, and human-technical threat surfaces.
Projects | Research and Development (R&D) | Frameworks
Hunter Storm is the creator of The Storm Project: AI, Cybersecurity, Quantum, and the Future of Intelligence, the largest AI research initiative in history.
She is the originator of the Hacking Humans: Ports and Services Model of Social Engineering, a foundational framework in psychological operations (PsyOps) and biohacking, adopted by governments, enterprises, and global security communities.
Hunter Storm also pioneered the first global forensic mapping of digital repression architecture, suppression, and censorship through her project Discrimination by Design: First Global Forensic Mapping of Digital Repression Architecture, monitoring platform accountability and digital suppression worldwide.
Achievements and Awards
Hunter Storm is a Mensa member and recipient of the Who’s Who Lifetime Achievement Award, reflecting her enduring influence on AI, cybersecurity, quantum, technology, strategy, and global security.
Hunter Storm | The Ultimate Asymmetric Advantage
Hunter Storm is known for solving problems most won’t touch. She combines technical mastery, operational agility, and strategic foresight to protect critical assets and shape the future at the intersection of technology, strategy, and high-risk decision-making.
Hunter Storm reframes human-technical threat surfaces to expose vulnerabilities others miss, delivering the ultimate asymmetric advantage.
Discover Hunter Storm’s full About the Author biography and career highlights.
Securing the Future | AI, Cybersecurity, Quantum computing, innovation, risk management, hybrid threats, security. Hunter Storm (“The Fourth Option”) is here. Let’s get to work.
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