Cloud
computing in general can be portrayed as a
synonym for distributed computing over a network, with the ability to run a
program or application on many connected computers at the same time. It
specifically refers to a computing hardware machine or group of computing
hardware machines commonly referred as a server connected through a
communication network such as the Internet, an intranet, a local area network
(LAN) or wide area network (WAN) and individual users or user who have
permission to access the server can use the server's processing power for their
individual computing needs like to run an application, store data or any other
computing need. Therefore, instead of using a personal computer every-time to
run the application, the individual can now run the application from anywhere
in the world, as the server provides the processing power to the application
and the server is also connected to a network via internet or other connection
platforms to be accessed from anywhere
Cloud computing offers your business many benefits. It
allows you to set up what is essentially a virtual office to give you the
flexibility of connecting to your business anywhere, any time. With the growing
number of web-enabled devices used in today's business environment (e.g.
smartphones, tablets), access to your data is even easier. There are many
benefits to moving your business to the cloud:
·
Reduced IT costs
Moving to cloud computing may reduce
the cost of managing and maintaining your IT systems. Rather than purchasing
expensive systems and equipment for your business, you can reduce your costs by
using the resources of your cloud computing service provider. You may be able to
reduce your operating costs because:
1.
the cost of system upgrades, new hardware and software may
be included in your contract
2.
you no longer need to pay wages for expert staff
3.
your energy consumption costs may be reduced
4.
there are fewer time delays.
·
Scalability
Your business can scale up or scale
down your operation and storage needs quickly to suit your situation, allowing
flexibility as your needs change. Rather than purchasing and installing
expensive upgrades yourself, your cloud computer service provider can handle
this for you. Using the cloud frees up your time so you can get on with running
your business.
·
Business continuity
Protecting your data and systems is
an important part of business continuity planning. Whether you
experience a natural disaster, power failure or other crisis, having your data
stored in the cloud ensures it is backed up and protected in a secure and safe
location. Being able to access your data again quickly allows you to conduct
business as usual, minimising any downtime and loss of productivity.
·
Collaboration efficiency
Collaboration in a cloud environment
gives your business the ability to communicate and share more easily outside of
the traditional methods. If you are working on a project across different
locations, you could use cloud computing to give employees, contractors and
third parties access to the same files. You could also choose a cloud computing
model that makes it easy for you to share your records with your advisers (e.g.
a quick and secure way to share accounting records with your accountant or
financial adviser).
·
Flexibility of work practices
Cloud computing allows employees to
be more flexible in their work practices. For example, you have the ability to
access data from home, on holiday, or via the commute to and from work
(providing you have an internet connection). If you need access to your data
while you are off-site, you can connect to your virtual office, quickly and
easily.
·
Access to automatic updates
Access to automatic updates for your
IT requirements may be included in your service fee. Depending on your cloud
computing service provider, your system will regularly be updated with the
latest technology. This could include up-to-date versions of software, as well
as upgrades to servers and computer processing power.
Cloud computing exhibits the
following key characteristics:
intensive computing tasks. Pricing on a utility computing
basis is fine-grained, with usage-based options and fewer IT skills are
required for implementation (in-house).[40] The
e-FISCAL project's state-of-the-art repository contains several articles
looking into cost aspects in more detail, most of them concluding that costs
savings depend on the type of activities supported and the type of
infrastructure available in-house.
Device and location independence. enable users to access systems
using a web browser regardless of their location or what device they use (e.g.,
PC, mobile phone). As infrastructure is off-site (typically provided by a
third-party) and accessed via the Internet, users can connect from anywhere.
Virtualization technology allows sharing of servers and storage
devices and increased utilization. Applications can be easily migrated from one
physical server to another.
Multitenancy enables sharing of resources
and costs across a large pool of users thus allowing for:
·
centralization of infrastructure in locations with lower costs (such
as real estate, electricity, etc.)
·
peak-load capacity increases (users need not
engineer for highest possible load-levels)
·
utilisation and efficiency improvements for systems that
are often only 10–20% utilised.
Reliability improves with the use of multiple redundant sites,
which makes well-designed cloud computing suitable for business
continuity and disaster
recovery. Scalability and elasticity via dynamic
("on-demand") provisioning of resources on a fine-grained,
self-service basis in near real-time (Note, the VM startup time varies by VM
type, location, os and cloud providers), without users having to engineer for
peak loads.
Performance is monitored, and consistent
and loosely coupled architectures are constructed using web services as
the system interface.
Security can improve due to centralization of data, increased
security-focused resources, etc., but concerns can persist about loss of
control over certain sensitive data, and the lack of security for stored
kernels. Security is often as good as or better than other traditional systems,
in part because providers are able to devote resources to solving security
issues that many customers cannot afford to tackle.
Maintenance of cloud computing applications is easier, because
they do not need to be installed on each user's computer and can be accessed
from different places.
Cloud security architecture is effective only if the correct
defensive implementations are in place. An efficient cloud security
architecture should recognize the issues that will arise with security
management. The security management addresses these issues with security
controls. These controls are put in place to safeguard any weaknesses in the
system and reduce the effect of an attack. While there are many types of
controls behind a cloud security architecture, they can usually be found in one
of the following categories:
Deterrent controls
These controls are set in place to prevent any purposeful
attack on a cloud system. Much like a warning sign on a fence or a property,
these controls do not reduce the actual vulnerability of a system.
Preventative controls
These controls upgrade the strength of the system by
managing the vulnerabilities. The preventative control will safeguard
vulnerabilities of the system. If an attack were to occur, the preventative
controls are in place to cover the attack and reduce the damage and violation
to the system's security.
Corrective
controls
Corrective controls are used to
reduce the effect of an attack. Unlike the preventative controls, the
corrective controls take action as an attack is occurring.
Detective
controls
Detective controls are used to
detect any attacks that may be occurring to the system. In the event of an
attack, the detective control will signal the preventative or corrective
controls to address the issue.
Related Link :
Related Link :
http://www.business.qld.gov.au/business/running/technology-for-business/cloud-computing-business/cloud-computing-benefits
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_computing
http://royanafwani.wordpress.com/2011/12/22/keamanan-pada-cloud-computing/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_computing_security
http://royanafwani.wordpress.com/2011/12/22/keamanan-pada-cloud-computing/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_computing_security
