Cloud Computing

Module 6: Application-Cloud Computing

J. Corey Hitchcock

ERAU CSCI-109

Cloud Computing

There are benefits and risks associated with cloud computing. I use several different types of cloud computing in my daily life. I have weighed the risk/reward of using cloud computing and use it for a couple of different personal as well as professional tasks.

The immediate benefit of cloud computing is the physical security of the files. Storage server farms are some of the most secure places on the planet (Grimes, 2013). For example, there is no danger of an employee leaving a physical flash drive in a public computer. Something that could place sensitive data at risk. One risk of cloud computing is the fact that if a corporation was to store all of their data off site and their internet connection to that data went away, the corporation wouldn’t have access to it until that data link was restored.

I am a distribution system operator, I control the power grid. The company I work for uses different types of cloud computing in the operations of the system. One example is the Distribution Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (DSCADA) tool. This application allows operators to monitor and change the status of the distribution system. All of the program files and other data is kept in a secure location with our workstations accessing those servers remotely through a dedicated intranet. The workstations we use are not connected to the internet to eliminate the possibility of an outside attack by hackers.

Cloud computing is used by many in their day to day life. From the accessing of Netflix servers to watch a movie to the storage of this paper. I believe, cloud computing is only going to increase in use in the coming years.

References

Grimes, R. (2013, March 19). Security adviser. Retrieved August 10, 2015, from InfoWorld : http://www.infoworld.com/article/2614369/security/the-5-cloud-risks-you-have-to-stop-ignoring.html