Virtualization
Virtualization is a key technology in cloud computing. Virtualization allows users to run multiple operating systems and software packages on a single machine which makes data centers more efficient because a single physical server performs the tasks of several machines.
Cloud computing makes it easier for companies to deploy new applications quicker. Automation enables companies to quickly make service requests — using the servers and other resources needed to process their applications. It’s often quicker to use cloud-based services instead of having an in-house team configure and deploy applications.
Cloud Service Models
Typically there are three sevice models for cloud computing:
- Software-as-a-service (SaaS) includes a complete software offering on the cloud. Users can access a software application hosted by the cloud vendor on pay-per-use basis. This is a well-established sector. The pioneer in this field has been Salesforce.coms offering in the online Customer Relationship Management (CRM) space. Other examples are online email providers like Googles gmail and Microsofts hotmail, Google docs and Microsofts online version of office called BPOS (Business Productivity Online Standard Suite).
- Infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) involves offering hardware related services using the principles of cloud computing. These could include some kind of storage services (database or disk storage) or virtual servers. Leading vendors that provide Infrastructure as a service are Amazon EC2, Amazon S3, Rackspace Cloud Servers and Flexiscale.
- Platform as a Service (PaaS) involves offering a development platform on the cloud. Platforms provided by different vendors are typically not compatible. Typical players in PaaS are Google’s Application Engine, Microsofts Azure, Salesforce.com’s force.com .
Outsourcing which occurs when companies hand their IT work over to a third-party provider should not be confused with cloud computing. Outsourcers include Hewlett-Packard and IBM.
Cloud Deployment Models
The cloud service can be deployed in any of the four deployment models:
- Public – when the cloud is availed to the general public
- Private – when the cloud is operated exclusively to a single organization
- Hybrid – more complex than the other deployment models, since the involve a composition of two or more clouds (public, private or public)
- Community – is more of a private cloud but is shared by two or more organizations with similar interests.
Organizations transitioning to the cloud will need to consider the far-reaching effects cloud computing will have on their systems and networks. Particularly public cloud computing which represents a significant paradigm shift from the conventional norms of an organizational data center to a deperimeterized infrastructure open to use by potential adversaries.
As with any emerging information technology area, cloud computing should be approached carefully with due consideration to the sensitivity of data. Planning helps to ensure that the computing environment is as secure as possible and in compliance with all relevant organizational policies and that privacy is maintained.
Security Considerations for Transitioning to Cloud Computing
Key considerations to minimize the impact of such effects include ……continue to page 3
