Cloud computing fundamentals and applications

Cloud Computing

Explain why cloud computing differs from other traditional forms of providing IT support. This answer should include the characteristics of cloud computing.

There are many different definitions that can be used to describe cloud computing. However, the importance of how the technology is transforming business models greatly exceeds any specific definition. There are three different forms of the cloud that are cited in any definition of cloud computing (Gabrielsson, Hubertsson, Mas, & Skog, 2010). The most common version of a cloud solution is the Software as a Service (SaaS). This allows users to access software on demand that is hosted online.

Cloud Connectivity (Gabrielsson, Hubertsson, Mas, & Skog, 2010)

Cloud computing also encompasses Platform as a Service (PaaS). An example of this could be an entire organizational email platform that runs on the cloud structure. The final component of the cloud system is known as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). This allows users to access external infrastructure that allows them to externalize functions such as storage and processing that would have previously run only on internal hardware. Because all of these functions are hosted offsite, this changes the requirements for service. For example, before cloud services such as SaaS, the information and the software would actually be stored and processed on the user's computer. However, with the new applications and services the servicing can be done remotely.

2. Give an example of specific organizational uses for SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS, This answer should include an organization such as a restaurant or small furniture manufacturer and why one of the SPI models would be best suited for them.

Small businesses are one of the biggest beneficiaries of cloud services for the fact that they do not have to develop their own internal infrastructure to take advantage of many of the new technologies. For example, a small business could use Gmail as a simple SaaS email provider. If the small business wanted to customize their own software then they might consider a PaaS. This would allow them to use components from a vendor to customize their own applications. For example, a restaurant could have a take-out order application that worked with the PaaS model. The IaaS model would be the most unlikely for a small business to use but would provide a comprehensive infrastructure that could be used to manage the entire process.

3. Compare the cloud service providers described in the text. Is there one that you would rate superior and why?

Cloud service providers have been competing fiercely in a market that has seen extraordinary growth over the last few years. The major player in this market is definitely Amazon Web Services. Many people believe that Google is the industry leader because many of the Google cloud services are already popular such as Gmail and its accompanying programs. But Amazon Web Services has for years been the front-runner in the business of renting computer power to companies and commands the majority of the market share (Mims, 2014).

Instead of focusing on SaaS software solutions, Amazon built the background for IaaS and PaaS that other third party vendors used to build different cloud services. These services were previously cloud only offerings while other providers such as Microsoft have been offering hybrid capabilities. Microsoft has seen the largest growth rate in the last year although Amazon still dominates the market (Kepes, 2014).

Figure 2 - Cloud Market Overview (Kepes, 2014)

Deciding on which cloud provider would be most appropriate will be largely dependent upon the circumstances in which these services will be used. Amazon is the industry leader but offers fewer options and mostly focuses on the infrastructure. Providers such as IBM and Microsoft have more options but are relatively more expensive than AWS. Google is also a solid choice but has no seen the increases that the other firms have in the market. Really any one of the four major players would be a solid partner and firms should decide based on the details of the specific requirements of the project that they are working on.

4. Explain the challenges with identity assurance and techniques for ensuring it.

Despite the clouds technical developments and tremendous growth, security issues still represent one of the biggest challenges that future development faces. The challenges that this solution faces includes issues such as trust, confidentiality, data integrity, availability, and others. However, being able to accurately verify and protect someone's identity is among the greatest concerns. In the traditional methods of access the data would be kept internally and access to the data could be controlled by a variety of security methods. However, with data being stored in the cloud servers, there is a greater opportunity for security concerns.

Electronic identities can be more difficult to keep secure than identity verification in other forms. One of the main challenges is that in many cases users register their identities themselves and they are provided credentials from a range of service providers. Therefore identity records can pass through several organizations that must insure the security at each step of the way. Furthermore, even if the electronic record is secure, the original user who registered the identity also could be committing identity fraud by using someone else's information to create the account which adds another layer of complexity.