By Dominic Jones

A lot is made of the security problems inherent in cloud computing and there certainly are some question marks hanging over the subject. However, they don’t really relate to people accessing your data without your permission. The issue is not about traditional hacking because the connection to most cloud computing providers is highly encrypted.

The security question is actually one of trust. The cloud provider has got total control over your data and its security is dependent on them. If they go out of business, they may well take your data with them. Equally, if one of their staff leaves the business feeling disgruntled, any retribution they take could affect your data.

However, it’s not just disgruntled staff that can be a problem. Let’s posit a situation where your cloud provider has a very high profile customer who has data sitting alongside yours in the cloud. This other customer could attract cyber terrorism which will then negatively affect your own position.

Sony Playstation’s recent data losses are an example that proves that this kind of attack happens, as are recent denial of service attacks on Mastercard and Visa.

Furthermore, whether you are using the cloud or not, your security still depends on a piece of hardware in the shape of a server. If that breaks, then you are in trouble, whether the server is in the corner of your office or hosted remotely and accessed via the Internet.

One way to partially obviate some of these issues is to invest in a private cloud. However, this will cost substantially more, mainly because you still have to buy your hardware and software.

Does cloud computing limit software choice?

At present, cloud computing is not as flexible as owning your own hardware and software. It certainly isn’t ideal for highly specialist applications where you will be moving massive amounts of data. The bottom line is that not every application will work in a cloud environment; some just have to be installed on a regular server.

That said there are providers out there who will allow you to host your own, bespoke software applications. However, they may not have the in house skills to support those applications, which could create serious problems.

The other flexibility issue is that once you have moved into the cloud it can be difficult and expensive to move back. It’s a bit like moving bank accounts; it’s painful and there are so many issues to take into account that you are certain to encounter problems at some point.

As a result, even if you suffer from really bad service, you might find yourself faced with a choice between staying put and facing the financial nightmare of buying all of your own equipment again.

Ultimately, the key to cloud computing is to get the right advice before deciding in favour of, or against, migrating to the cloud. As a result, Barton Technology is offering every reader of New Media Knowledge a free of charge consultation during which Barton Technology will analyse your existing IT system and provide recommendations to help you achieve your objective. This might involve cloud computing, traditional IT activity or a mixture of the two; say VoIP as a business telephone solution with data staying on the ground.

Note

See other articles in this series:

Cloud computing can greatly benefit start up and small businesses

Stuck inside a cloud: The financial and system requirements of cloud

If you want to stay constantly up to date on the latest news from Barton Technology, paste the following link into your RSS reader http://www.barttech.co.uk/blog/feed/ .

About the author and the company

Dominic Jones is managing director of IT support firm Barton Technology. Established in April 2000, Barton Technology is a privately owned company with a proven approach which is quality driven, thorough and extraordinarily successful. From their headquarters in South London, they specialise in providing IT Support and Business Telephone services to customers in the Construction, Not for Profit, Retail, Finance, Legal and Insurance SME sectors and who are located in London, Surrey and Kent.

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