Go to the cloud! Everyone moves, at least it seems. Individuals store their data in the cloud rather than rely solely on their physical storage media. For cost reasons, companies outsource more and more IT services, be it hardware or software. But should someone follow the trend? What supports it and opposes it?
What is cloud computing?
Cloud computing generally refers to the provision and use of IT infrastructure such as storage space, computing power or software over the Internet. The idea behind this is to make this IT infrastructure available through computer networks so that they don't have to be installed on a local computer. Thus, the provision and use of each IT service takes place exclusively through the interface and technical protocols as well as through client software - often this is just a web browser. Above all, the principle of cloud computing is directed at achieving significant cost and time savings. There are three variants of cloud computing: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS). IaaS mainly includes the provision of technical infrastructure such as computing power, networks, or storage space. The scope of this service can be adjusted at any time according to user needs. PaaS gives users a platform to develop and offer their own software applications. For this purpose, the programming and development environment is available flexibly in this type of cloud service. The SaaS variant is also referred to as Demand Based Software and represents the highest level of cloud computing. The SaaS model consists of pure software applications that are provided to users as cloud services by their respective providers.
Example of cloud computing
The most famous form of cloud computing is cloud storage services such as Google Drive, Amazon Cloud Drive or Microsoft OneDrive. For this vendor, home users and businesses can rent storage server capacity to store data. Another example, especially for enterprise cloud computing, is cloud service providers that run software applications on their servers and provide them to companies around the world via the Internet. Such solutions can include not only leasing and use of software but also the capacity of related computers. Cloud computing can also provide computing power along with the development environment so that companies in the cloud can develop their own software products locally.
Pro and counter cloud for home users
Benefits
For personal users, the advantage of cloud computing compared to using their own hardware and software is that they do not need their own hardware resources to store data or use application software provided by cloud services. In other words, data operators such as external hard disks or USB sticks become obsolete and there is no risk of damage, misplacement, or even loss - not stolen. In addition, your own hardware does not have to be adapted and improved, because most cloud services can be accessed through a web browser or client. Another advantage is the ability to access each cloud service anytime and with different devices, whether stationary or cellular. The only requirement is, in addition to having a compatible device, functioning Internet access. In addition, data such as images, documents, music, or videos can be shared, shared, and shared with others by arranging access rights for friends, family, or colleagues. So you don't have to be in the same place for public projects, or exchange data carriers or e-mail lines. If needed and appropriate authorization, data can also be downloaded locally. So you don't have to be in the same place for public projects, or exchange data carriers or e-mail lines. If needed and appropriate authorization, data can also be downloaded locally. So you don't have to be in the same place for joint projects, or exchange carrier data or lines of email. If needed and appropriate authorization, data can also be downloaded locally.
Loss
The disadvantages of using cloud services can be found especially in the security sector. The cloud service provider computer systems must be maintained and secured with large technical and financial efforts. One reason is repeated hacker attacks on known cloud provider servers such as Google or Amazon. These attacks often aim to capture personal user data and data stored on a storage server. Another disadvantage is that data transfer is open - open above all because each cloud provider in terms of its use informs about it. For the use of cloud services, in many cases it is inevitable to deposit accounts and incoming data such as names, addresses, emails, telephone numbers, and payment information. And of course this data is stored, used for service provision and partly - depending on the provider and privacy policy - also passes. In the case of cloud storage services, similar rules apply to data stored in the cloud. Another problem is that content is not only stored or shared, but sometimes also copied, moved, modified, evaluated, recorded, or used. According to the terms of use of most cloud providers, this is done within the framework of applicable data protection guidelines - but this especially happens if you as an EU citizen depend on cloud services that have their headquarters and servers located outside Europe. Cloud Providers Contributions: How This applies to privacy policies.
Pro and cloud contra for business
Benefits
One of the benefits of using cloud services for businesses is saving on massive investments in services that can easily be rented to external service providers in the cloud. This saves costs for staff and hardware used. This also means that there is no need for long-term capital commitments, because the costs for all services needed, such as the use of special hardware or application software, are generally billed monthly and can therefore be easily calculated. In addition, the cost of renting a cloud solution is generally far below the cost of purchasing your own hardware and software that meets the performance you want. Also the fact that especially hardware requires periodic upgrades, Keep up to date with the latest technology is a significant cost factor that is eliminated when using cloud services and is transferred to each provider. This also applies to cost-intensive preventive measures for failure protection. Another benefit is cost savings for IT professionals who need to maintain, maintain and maintain infrastructure, because these staff are provided by cloud providers. Another advantage for the company is the good adaptability of each service. The amount of storage space, computing power, and software packages can be chosen precisely and adjusted at any time with actual needs. In addition, several branches or company locations can be easily connected to the IT infrastructure used at low cost. Finally, security factors can be called profits. Access to resources by company employees is governed by the cloud provider administration. The same applies to the protection of access to a computer system.
Loss
Losses for companies, for example, are dependence on providers, who may not be well cared for by customers, cannot generate sufficient capacity or, if necessary, be paralyzed by bankruptcy. Of course, this will have a negative impact on all services that have been ordered by the company with the affected cloud service providers and may have been paid. The use of cloud providers by companies also raises questions about what is best for dealing with sensitive data related to business in the long run. If you submit this to a service provider, you will definitely enter into certain dependencies. The same applies to your own IT competencies: You don't have or only a few specialists in your company, those who are familiar with technology, hardware or software, largely depend on the performance of cloud providers. The quality of an internet connection can also be very important. Especially in rural areas, high-speed Internet often has not arrived. And even with a 400-Mbit line, high bandwidth does not guarantee that connections always work reliably - and Internet connections are a necessary prerequisite for cloud computing. Another danger is the use of data storage in other EU countries. Data storage on servers in the United States, such as Google or Amazon, is not subject to German or European privacy policies. Other possible losses
conclusion
So it's no longer possible to do that completely without cloud. Many home users use cloud offerings from Google, Amazon, or Microsoft, and companies like cloud services for areas such as CRM, CMS, project management, security, or data storage. If you, as a person or company, can achieve an acceptable balance between the advantages and disadvantages above, I think cloud computing is a highly recommended solution. Some losses can be ignored, especially when compared to the weight of some of the benefits and benefits associated with them. In the end, of course, everyone must decide for themselves whether and to what extent it makes sense to rely on cloud solutions.
