CLOUD COMPUTING –
USAGE
The cloud makes it possible for you to access your
information from anywhere at any time. While a traditional computer setup
requires you to be in the same location as your data storage device, the cloud
takes away that step. The cloud removes the need for you to be in the same physical
location as the hardware that stores your data. Your cloud provider can both
own and house the hardware and software necessary to run your home or business
applications.
This is especially helpful for businesses that cannot afford
the same amount of hardware and storage space as a bigger company. Small
companies can store their information in the cloud, removing the cost of
purchasing and storing memory devices. Additionally, because you only need to
buy the amount of storage space you will use, a business can purchase more
space or reduce their subscription as their business grows or as they find they
need less storage space.
One requirement is that you need to have an internet
connection in order to access the cloud.
This means that if you want to look at a specific document you have
housed in the cloud, you must first establish an internet connection either
through a wireless or wired internet or a mobile broadband connection. The
benefit is that you can access that same document from wherever you are with
any device that can access the internet. These devices could be a desktop,
laptop, tablet, or phone. This can also help your business to function more smoothly
because anyone who can connect to the internet and your cloud can work on
documents, access software, and store data.
Imagine picking up your smartphone and downloading a .pdf document to
review instead of having to stop by the office to print it or upload it to your
laptop. This is the freedom that the cloud can provide for you or your
organization.
CHOOSING A CLOUD
PROVIDER
Each provider serves a specific function, giving users more
or less control over their cloud depending on the type. When you choose a
provider, compare your needs to the cloud services available. Your cloud needs
will vary depending on how you intend to use the space and resources associated
with the cloud. If it will be for personal home use, you will need a different cloud
type and provider than if you will be using the cloud for business. Keep in
mind that your cloud provider will be pay-as-you-go, meaning that if your technological
needs change at any point you can purchase more storage space (or less for that
matter) from your cloud provider.
There are three types of cloud providers that you can
subscribe to: Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). These three types differ in the amount of
control that you have over your information, and conversely, how much you can expect
your provider to do for you. Briefly, here is what you can expect from each
type.
Software as a Service
A SaaS provider gives subscribers access to both resources
and applications. SaaS makes it unnecessary for you to have a physical copy of
software to install on your devices. SaaS also makes it easier to have the same
software on all of your devices at once by accessing it on the cloud. In a SaaS
agreement, you have the least control over the cloud.
Platform as a Service
A PaaS system goes a level above the Software as a Service
setup. A PaaS provider gives subscribers access to the components that they
require to develop and operate applications over the internet.
Infrastructure as a
Service
An IaaS agreement, as the name states, deals primarily with
computational infrastructure. In an IaaS agreement, the subscriber completely
outsources the storage and resources, such as hardware and software, that they
need.
As you go down the list from number one to number three, the
subscriber gains more control over what they can do within the space of the
cloud. The cloud provider has less control in an IaaS system than with an SaaS
agreement.
What does this mean for the home user or business looking to
start using the cloud? It means you can choose your level of control over your
information and types of services that you want from a cloud provider. For
example, imagine you are starting up your own small business. You cannot afford
to purchase and store all of the hardware and software necessary to stay on the
cutting edge of your market. By subscribing to an Infrastructure as a Service
cloud, you would be able to maintain your new business with just as much
computational capability as a larger, more established company, while only
paying for the storage space and bandwidth that you use. However, this system
may mean you have to spend more of your resources on the development and
operation of applications. As you can see, you should evaluate your current
computational resources, the level of control you want to have, your financial
situation, and where you foresee your business going before signing up with a
cloud provider.
If you are a home user, however, you will most likely be
looking at free or low-cost cloud services (such as web-based email) and will
not be as concerned with many of the more complex cloud offerings.
After you have fully taken stock of where you are and where
you want to be, research into each cloud provider will give you a better idea
of whether or not they are right for you.
SECURITY
The information housed on the cloud is often seen as
valuable to individuals with malicious intent. There is a lot of personal
information and potentially secure data that people store on their computers,
and this information is now being transferred to the cloud. This makes it
critical for you to understand the security measures that your cloud provider
has in place, and it is equally important to take personal precautions to
secure your data.
The first thing you must look into is the security measures
that your cloud provider already has in place. These vary from provider to
provider and among the various types of clouds.
- What encryption methods do the providers have in place?
- What methods of protection do they have in place for the actual hardware that your data will be stored on?
- Will they have backups of my data?
- Do they have firewalls set up?
- If you have a community cloud, what barriers are in place to keep your information separate from other companies?
Many cloud providers have standard terms and conditions that
may answer these questions, but the home user will probably have little negotiation
room in their cloud contract. A small business user may have slightly more room
to discuss the terms of their contract with the provider and will be able to
ask these questions during that time. There are many questions that you can
ask, but it is important to choose a cloud provider that considers the security
of your data as a major concern.
No matter how careful you are with your personal data, by
subscribing to the cloud you will be giving up some control to an external
source. This distance between you and the physical location of your data
creates a barrier. It may also create more space for a third party to access
your information. However, to take advantage of the benefits of the cloud, you
will have to knowingly give up direct control of your data. On the converse,
keep in mind that most cloud providers will have a great deal of knowledge on
how to keep your data safe. A provider likely has more resources and expertise
than the average user to secure their computers and networks.
CONCLUSIONS
To summarize, the cloud provides many options for the
everyday computer user as well as large and small businesses. It opens up the
world of computing to a broader range of uses and increases the ease of use by
giving access through any internet connection. However, with this increased
ease also come drawbacks. You have less control over who has access to your
information and little to no knowledge of where it is stored. You also must be
aware of the security risks of having data stored on the cloud. The cloud is a
big target for malicious individuals and may have disadvantages because it can
be accessed through an unsecured internet connection.
If you are considering using the cloud, be certain that you
identify what information you will be putting out in the cloud, who will have
access to that information, and what you will need to make sure it is
protected. Additionally, know your options in terms of what type of cloud will
be best for your needs, what type of provider will be most useful to you, and
what the reputation and responsibilities of the providers you are considering
are before you sign up.
Source: Huth, Alexa and Cebula, James (2011) “The
Basics of Cloud Computing”, Carnegie Mellon University, US-CERT, United States
Computer Emergency Readiness Team, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
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