Cloud computing has been dubbed the next big thing by many tech companies and IT moguls. It has and will continue to transform the way people look at and access their information. According to the National Institute of Science and Technology, cloud computing is “the delivery of computing as a service rather than a product, whereby shared resources, software, and information are provided to computers and other devices as a utility (like the electricity grid) over a network (typically the Internet).” It gives users access to data management services, applications, and databases, and is grounded on the assumption that users need not worry about the location of resources and how they're stored.
Watch this neat video for an explanation of what cloud computing is and how it works: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ae_DKNwK_ms
Users can access the cloud's resources from a computer, laptop, cell phone, or tablet pc, with a working Internet connection. Imagine if all you needed was an iPad (or any tablet) and you could continue carrying out all your current tasks. In terms of saving money, this option is a no-brainer! Imagine the portability! These are just some of the reasons behind why cloud computing has created such a buzz.
On the other hand, cloud computing has also raised a number of privacy and security concerns regarding the storage and accessibility of information. Companies are wary that their information could be accessed by others, misused, and therefore leave them vulnerable. According to information from a report authored by Longhaus, an Australian research firm, cloud computing is still a work in progress. Many large companies are reluctant to embrace cloud technology and remotely store highly confidential and top secret information. The risk is too high.
Despite these risks, I think that many firms are willing to embrace, and should invest in, cloud computing as a viable means of storing information. Whether this means proceeding on a trial basis, or experiment with less sensitive information, companies should be testing the limits of this technology. Internet speeds are continually increasing and the prices for these services are decreasing. At the current rate of growth, cloud computing could become the primary means of computing, in business and for personal use. I've personally been a huge fan of cloud computing. While I'm no expert on privacy and security, or how cloud computing works, the ability of cloud technology is fascinating. Google Docs has been revolutionary. It's made online collaboration so easy. Todd Nielson, a renowned IT Executive, has written an excellent article about cloud computing and how it currently impacts society. You can read it at: http://www.wired.com/cloudline/2012/03/the-perfect-storm-for-cloud-computing/
What are your thoughts? Any comments, questions, or concerns?
Security in the cloud is certainly a big issue, but companies often fail to appreciate how insecure a traditional server is.
ReplyDeleteHacker groups have been stealing information from major corporations for years, and if they switch to a different storage medium, that isn't going to change.
Just a few days ago, Anonymous managed to steal 50,000 songs from Sony, while they were stored on a "real" server (as opposed to the cloud).
These companies have a habit of keeping everything connected to the internet, and that's where the problem lies.
If the data they had was really that confidential, then it wouldn't be connected to the internet.
If the data isn't that confidential, and can be stored online, then they can simply encrypt it all and store it in the cloud.
But I do think that the security problems in the cloud are more often than not caused by companies who don't take the appropriate steps to protect their data.
-Mike,
from http://piisexactlythree.blogspot.com/
There's definitely truth in what you're saying. Prevention is better than cure - if companies were more cautious and meticulous in their approach, some of these hacks could be stopped. I'm not of the opinion that the cloud is the most secure method of storing information. However, regardless of the method that is employed, companies must be wary of attacks and be proactive in their prevention efforts.
ReplyDelete