Business practices regarding data storage have utilized the same model since 1950. Cloud computing and virtual storage has radically changed the way business is conducted. Now, data centers are quickly becoming obsolete.
Cloud computing is more cost-effective, easily scalable, flexible and affordable than data centers, but it is not without its challenges. Many people are reluctant to go along with the trend for numerous reasons, but in some areas, such as healthcare, people may have no choice but to adopt the new technology because of government mandates. Let us examine some of the concerns related to cloud computing.
Is Cloud Computing Secure?
The answer is yes and no. In theory, all data stored in the cloud is secured by 256-bit encryption technology or better. This is to prevent hackers from viewing information during transmission even if the system is breached. In practice, any technological device created by a human can probably also be hacked by a human. So, is it secure? In most instances, yes it is secure, but there may be a breach.
Most hosting companies will only offer 99.9 percent uptime and guarantee losses up to $1 million because anything could potentially happen even with the most advanced protection measures. Hosting companies take every precautionary measure to protect client data, but sometimes the inevitable occurs. Even without cloud storage, hacking is a risk factor.
In Australia, 31 percent of all data breaches are due to configuration mistakes that may make networks more vulnerable to hackers. Business owners who take extra precautions lower the risks and give its clients peace of mind.
Is Cloud Computing Reliable?
Cloud computing is reliable, but no technology is reliable 100 percent of the time. Cloud computing reliability ratings are high due to redundancy. Most hosting companies will store mirror images of data on more than one server in different locations. If a problem occurs at one hosting site, the data can be retrieved from another site.
For instance, a hosting company may have a power outage due to a truck hitting a transformer in the area of the hosting server. Power may go out, and data may not be accessible to customers.
If the hosting company replicates the data on another server in a remote location, the client will never even notice a problem occurred with the hosting company. The switch would be seamless, and the company could continue normal business operations with no problems. Without redundancy, a hosting company’s clients will lose accessibility to their data until business operations are restored.
So, is cloud computing reliable? In most instances, it is reliable, but it does depend upon the configuration at the hosting company. Hosting may also be conducted in-house, but this practice does not offer the same protection of hosting at a remote facility.
Are Business People Adopting the New Trend?
Many startups have used cloud data storage because it is affordable, but even some enterprises have adopted the strategy. Amazon, IBM and others have used cloud data storage and have offered solutions. Larger enterprises are reluctant to use cloud data storage unless they have dedicated server space for maximum security.
Though the technology was first introduced in the 1950s, it did not become popular until recently. When it became popular, many larger enterprises tried the concept for disaster recovery for non-proprietary, non-mission critical applications to test the security. Now, larger enterprises are trusting cloud computing for disaster recovery. Even physicians are using cloud data storage to store patient data.
Byline
Karl Stockton frequently writes on law, finance and politics. This article was written for Michael S. Berg. Contact him in the future for you San Diego criminal defense needs.
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