Cloud Computing

Introduction  to Cloud Computing

         

When you store your photos online instead of on your home computer or use 

webmail or a social networking site, you are using a “cloud computing” 

service. If you are an organization, and you want to use, for example, an online invoicing service instead of updating the in-house one you have been using for many years, that online invoicing service is a “cloud computing” service. Cloud computing refers to the delivery of computing resources over the Internet. Instead of keeping data on your own hard drive or updating applications for your needs, you use a 

service over the Internet, at another location, to store your information or use its applications. Doing so may give rise to certain privacy implications.

For that reason the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) has 

prepared some responses to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS). 

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services over the Internet. Cloud 

services allow individuals and businesses to use software and hardware that are managed by third parties at remote locations. Examples of cloud services include online file storage, social networking sites, webmail, and online business applications. The cloud computing model allows access to information and computer resources from anywhere that a network connection is available. Cloud computing provides a shared pool of resources, including data storage space and networks.

The cloud model promotes availability and is composed of five essential 

characteristics, three service models, and four deployment models"

Characteristics

                               

The characteristics of cloud computing include on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity and measured service.

 On-demand self-service means that customers (usually organizations) can request and manage their own computing resources. Broad network access allows services to be offered over the Internet or private networks. Pooled resources mean that customers draw from a pool of computing resources, 

usually in remote data centerss. Services can be scaled larger or smaller, and use of a service is measured and customers are billed accordingly.

Service Models

The cloud computing service models are Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform

 as a Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

                      

 In a Software as a Service model, a pre-made application, along with any required software, operating system, hardware, and network are provided. In 

Paas, an operating system, hardware, and network are provided, and the customer installs or develops its own software and applications. The Iaas model provides just the hardware and network; the customer installs or develops its own operating systems, software and applications.

Development Of Cloud Services

Cloud services are typically made available via a private cloud, community 

cloud, public cloud or hybrid cloud. 

 Services provided by a public cloud are offered over the Internet and are owned and operated by a cloud provider. Some examples include services aimed at the general public, such as online photo storage services,

 e-mail services, or social networking sites. However, services for enterprises canalso be offered in a public cloud. 

In a private cloud, the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for a specific organization and is managed by the organization or a third party. 

In a community cloud, the service is shared by several organizations and made available only to those groups. The infrastructure may be owned and operated by the organizations or by a cloud service provider.

A hybrid cloud is a combination of different methods of resource pooling (for example, combining public and community clouds).

Why cloud Services Are Popular?

Cloud services are popular because they can reduce the cost and complexity of 

owning and operating computers and networks. Since cloud users do not have 

to invest in information technology infrastructure, purchase hardware, or buy

 software licences, the benefits are low up-front costs, rapid return on 

investment, rapid deployment, customization, flexible use, and solutions that 

can make use of new innovations. Besides, cloud providers that have 

specialized in a particular area (such as e-mail) can bring advanced services 

that a single company might not be able to afford or develop. 

Some other benefits to users include scalability, reliability, and efficiency.

 Scalability means that cloud computing offers unlimited processing and storage 

capacity. The cloud is reliable in that it enables access to applications and documents anywhere in the world via the Internet. Cloud computing is often considered efficient because it allows organizations to free up resources to focus on innovation and product development. 

                      

Another potential benefit is that personal information may be better protected in the cloud. Specifically, cloud computing may improve efforts to build privacy protections into technology from the start and the use of better security mechanisms. Cloud computing will enable more flexible IT acquisition and

 improvements, which may permit adjustments to procedures based on the

 the sensitivity of the data. Widespread use of the cloud may also encourage open standards for cloud computing that will establish baseline data security features common across different services and providers. Cloud computing may also allow for better audit trails. Besides, the information in the cloud is not as easily lost (when compared to the paper documents or hard drives, for example).

Potential Barrier Risks

While there are benefits, there are privacy and security concerns too. Data is travelling over the Internet and is stored in remote locations. Besides, cloud providers often serve multiple customers simultaneously. All of this may raise the scale of exposure to possible breaches, both accidental and deliberate. 

Concerns have been raised by many that cloud computing may lead to 

“function creeps” — uses of data by cloud providers that were not anticipated when the information was originally collected and for which consent has typically not been obtained. Given how inexpensive it is to keep data, there is little incentive to remove the information from the cloud and more reasons to find other things to do with it. 

Security issues, the need to segregate data when dealing with providers that 

serve multiple customers, potential secondary uses of the data—these are 

areas that organizations should keep in mind when considering a cloud provider 

and when negotiating contracts or reviewing terms of service with a 

cloud provider. Given that the organization transferring this information to the 

provider is ultimately accountable for its protection, it needs to ensure that the 

personal information is appropriate handling. 

Conclusion

Cloud computing offers benefits for organizations and individuals. There are also privacy and security concerns. If you are considering a cloud service, you should think about how your personal information, and that of your customers can best be protected. Carefully review the terms of service or contracts, and challenge the provider to meet your need........