Public Cloud Computing Forecasts Some Rainy Weather

Public cloud computing has been the IT buzz topic for a while now.  Still, the benefits should be weighed carefully against the possible risks.  For small and mid-sized organizations, a different kind of cloud is on the horizon.  Read on to learn more.     

Undoubtedly, you’ve heard about cloud computing. More than likely, you are using a cloud computing service already (Google Docs or SalesForce, anyone?). A media topic favorite, cloud computing is the latest wave in technology services, and refers to the practice of delivering software, servers, storage space, and other  IT-related capabilities to users through a third entity—or “the cloud.” The idea is that you have no knowledge or control over how or from where the provider is actually delivering these services, and you pay for them according to usage. Although there are many benefits associated with public cloud services provisions, there are also some drawbacks to consider—and a potential solution—as cloud computing positions itself for the small to-mid-sized business market.

The Benefits of Cloud Computing
Cloud computing (in public or private form) delivers some significant benefits:

• Removes the guesswork from IT budgeting
  Organizations no longer need to fret over choosing the right hardware brand, server, configuration, or maintenance. They subscribe to receive the necessary hardware and software to run their business for a monthly fee based on usage (the number of people, computers, and servers).  Plus, cloud computing reduces in-house IT infrastructure costs—there is no capital expenditure, less investment risk, and a consistent average monthly fee.
• Makes business easily scalable
  With cloud computing, an organization’s IT infrastructure becomes easily expandable or contractible. If staff size increases or decreases, the organization never shoulders a large IT investment or structural change. Instead, one phone call ensures that the additional software, hardware, and applications appear (or disappear), and your monthly fee reflects the change.
• Removes the burden of technology management
  With cloud computing, your organization outsources the burden of provisioning and managing your technology to the technology provider. Reliability, consistent operability—these are no longer your headaches!

The Drawbacks
Cloud computing, as it is delivered to organizations now, raises some significant concerns—including security and reliability. A recent Information Week article highlighted these concerns, detailing how the city of Los Angeles halted the city-wide replacement of Microsoft Office with cloud-delivered Google Applications. Those spearheading the transition to a cloud model were urged to stop and weigh the potential privacy and security risks because the “transfer of so many city records to a cloud computing provider may threaten the privacy rights of city residents, undermine the security of other sensitive info, violate both state and federal laws, and potentially damage vital city legal and other interests.” For the first time, this story brought into public consciousness the security, privacy, and reliability implications of cloud computing.

• So, how secure is your organization’s data in the cloud?
  Well, you decide. The big public cloud services providers like Amazon and Google, by the very nature of the public cloud computing technology platform, have access to your data (which may or may not be encrypted) at all times.  You trust your IT folks, you trust your employees—but are you now willing to place that full confidence in the people storing, managing, and manipulating your data at these technology conglomerates? It’s worth thinking about.
• How reliable is the public cloud?
  Although the peace of mind that comes with knowing your technology is being taken care of “in the cloud” provides a certain sense of relief, public cloud computing also requires a sacrifice. With the public cloud model, you take all of your data, files, servers, and databases, and put them into the cloud environment, where the only way to access them is through an Internet connection. The operability of your organization now relies completely on your Internet connection, making this a much more pivotal element of your information system. These connections are fairly reliable, but not foolproof.  It is a single point of failure that merits consideration in light of your daily operations.

The Solution: The Private Cloud
For organizations that are concerned about the security and reliability of public cloud computing, but are intrigued by the significant benefits this technology platform offers, there is a solution: the private cloud. Private cloud computing provides the same benefits as public cloud computing, but reduces your security and reliability risks. Instead of all of your data, servers, applications, etc. being stored in a cloud at Amazon or Google, they are stored on your own network.

Last Word
The IT service provider and user landscape is evolving quickly. In the past, private cloud computing was only available to large organizations with many servers that could justify an investment in this virtualized infrastructure. Now, the private cloud computing model is on its way to becoming an option for the small and mid-sized organization. But how does it work? And how can your organization benefit? Stay tuned for the next issue of Optimal Impact, where we will answer these questions and discuss the benefits of the private cloud computing model.

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