Will the Cloud Go Mainstream in 2010?
Private cloud computing technology has developed a lot in 2009 but this progress was not without challenges. Security and reliability issues have been raised as this fairly young service struggled through the widespread media coverage as well as its rapid growth. Based on the year when it has practically become the buzzword in IT, Yan Ness from Online Tech proposes a solution that will use cloud computing services in conjunction with trusted collocation partners.
There are two distinct setbacks that cloud providers have to overcome in order to allow for widespread adoption of the technology: first is the lack of trust in the reliability and security of cloud services and second, the lack of assurance stipulated in contracts. Adoption is going to be narrow unless these two disadvantages are addressed, says Yan Ness, CEO of Online Tech.
We have learned about the benefits of utilizing cloud services over the past few years. For one it allows for expandability so one can grow his cloud computing infrastructure. It also provides flexibility, enabling clients to stop the service any time they need to without incurring penalties. Finally, cloud computing features a structured pricing set up where one pays only for the processing capabilities used.
There are also certain disadvantages to relying on the cloud for core business-critical tasks. All of the cloud services providers employ active and well-trained legal departments. The agreements clients agree to when they sign up for such services do not really promise anything, says Alex Stamos, iSec Partners principal security consultant.
Along with this lack of promises, there are also security concerns that have to be addressed according to the results of a Forrester survey conducted last year. About 51 percent of small and medium-scale businesses cited privacy and security as their top reasons why they are hesitant to try cloud computing.