Cloud Computing
Often the media verbally drown us in new technology jargon. We are often informed that we need to be prepared for a new technology that will change computing forever. Most recently there has bee a lot of discussion regarding the term “Cloud Computing”.
Cloud computing is a new paradigm that shifts personal computers away from your office/desk to utlising a shared network of computers or an external computer network updating your internal system.
Essentially, it means that you do not need to invest in new hardware and computers because you will be using the Internet to access required software and files on another computer.
It will be a mindset change for some organizations, while other organizations whether they realize it or not are already using Cloud Computing for daily activities such as word processing, email, presentations and spreadsheets with services such as Google Apps, web based email or perhaps a Spam filter at their ISP. Perhaps your organization utilizes a database that is stored at another organisations premises.
Cloud Computing involves renting or leasing a computer or the required software/systems from a provider whom is often referred to as an “Application Service Provider - ASP”. The ASP is responsible for housing the computers, management, security and maintenance of all of the hardware and software. The ASP is also responsible for ensuring that the computers and system are safe in the event of a natural disaster, acts of vandalism or any other destruction that may occur. To do this an ASP will often have specialized buildings that are specifically designed to protect the systems from all manner of damages. Often the whole network system is duplicated and resides in another city or country as a back up.
Cloud Computing means that your organization will not necessarily have your own exclusive computer unless you specifically request it and or it is technically necessary. Normally a large server will host your files and many other organisations files while everyone utilizes the same system.
Benefits of Cloud Computing for not-for-profit organisations could include:
- No need to purchase expensive hardware and computers
- No need to purchase software as most Cloud Computing applications only require an Internet browser.
- No or little cost to have software especially created for your organization.
- No need for a dedicated IT support team or IT department to maintain your systems.
- Automated backups of all of your information. You do not need to be concerned about your files if a disaster occurs in your town or to your building.
- Less licenses and upgrade issues
- Less e-waste for the environment
Caution
Organsiations that use an ASP that have their computers based in other countries should be cautious and seek clarification of the privacy of their data under the country of the ISP’s legal system.
Two of the most popular countries where Cloud Computers reside are the USA and the UK.
In the USA under the US Patriot Act, the FBI and other agencies can demand to see content stored on any computer, even if it being hosted on behalf of another country. If the ASP receives a National Security Letter then they legally have to hand over the information and are forbidden from telling you or anyone else - apart from their lawyer - about it.
In the UK, the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act allows police or secret services to demand access to databases and servers.
It should be noted that there is no Cloud involved in Cloud Computing such as there is no real “Cyber Space” for the Internet. The term Cloud is a marketing term.