Cloud Computing - Part 3 - Is there a downside?

When companies were first switching to the central electrical grid from their own power generation systems there were those who were slow to adopt to the new technology. Their reasons? They didn't trust the electrical companies that were supplying the power. Also, they didn't think the power produced from the grid was of the quality that they produced on their own. In some cases, there may have been some legitimate reasons for concern but, as the bugs were worked out, those reasons soon went by the wayside.

In the same way, there are nay-sayers out there today who are making similar statements about cloud computing. Some of the issues they raise certainly are legitimate but others aren't. The legitimate issues are issues today but they likely won't be issues tomorrow.

Let's look at a few possible problems. The first issues that many people raise are security and priviacy. They worry that data stored outside your four walls and on someone else's computer can't be secure and private. Certainly, with today's privacy laws, these are real concerns. But, does anyone really think a server sitting in your office is truly secure from theft, fire, flood, etc? Servers in the cloud are locked in controlled-access server rooms with fire suppression systems and "clean" electrical power (with backups). As well, your data can be encrypted and protected by security and privacy agreements with the cloud vendor. So, yes, security/privacy IS an issue but it is an issue that can be managed by putting in the proper controls, restrictions and safe-guards.

Probably the biggest issue today that we need to address today is Internet bandwidth and reliability. Obviously, if you're getting most of your computing services from the Internet you'll need fast and reliable Internet to your office. Many companies don't yet have the Internet bandwidth or reliability that they can afford to put too many applications in the cloud. However, Internet bandwidth and reliability is improving every day and this issue is going away.


Finally, not all applications are suitable to cloud computing and they will need to be re-written or modified to make them work properly. You may have applications that simply won't work in a cloud computing set-up. However, many vendors are currently re-writing their applications so they will work in a cloud configuration.

So, yes, there are issues with cloud computing but, over time, we will resolve them and/or find ways around them. One way might be to use cloud computing technologies inside your private network for those applications that privacy laws (or whatever) dictate can't exist outside your four walls. You may see some hybrid situations where some applications are hosted externally and some internally. The point is that the technology works either way!

Your comments and ideas are always welcome! Please feel free to post them here or e-mail me directly.