Cloud Computing Model for Business - Literature review Example

Cloud computing Name: Unit: Course: Supervisor: Date of submission: Introduction Cloud computing is a service model that is used in information technology. It is an internet service that is based on technology of distributed computers in which a group of remote servers are networked and operated mainly through virtualization (ENISA 2012). This means that many computers are connected to one another through a network that aids in communication through centralized data storage. Kaplan and Laharika (2013) define cloud computing as a model that provides a platform for on demand to a shared pool of computer information. It acts as a model that delivers IT services through a web based tools and applications. According to Lee (2012) the cloud computing enables the authorized people to access to an organization data provided that the device that the computer or other device being used has access to the web, this allows the authorized people to work remotely. Service delivery models The cloud computing is done in three service delivery models. The first type of cloud computing entails the use of software that is provided by a third party and is normally available on order, this service is normally referred to as Software as Service (Saas). The second type of cloud computing model is the use of a platform that enables customers to develop applications using APIs that is remotely configured, this service is commonly known as Platform as service (PaaS) (Lee, 2012). The third computing is through the use of machines that are virtually provided and operating systems that are depend on control of service API, the service is referred as Infrastructure as service (IaaS), this type of cloud computing has gained preference among many companies (ENISA, 2012). Deployment of the cloud computing The main features of the cloud computing entail the component of the on-demand self-service, access to broad network, pooling of the resources, rapid elasticity and measured services. The on-service demand involves the ability for customers to request and be involved in the management of the computing resources. Access to the broad network gives opportunity for devices to be provided over the internet or private networks. Whereas the pooled services imply that the given organisations get resources from a collection of computing resources that set in remote data centres. The provision of the cloud service is scaled in either small scale or large scale. This enables the service providers to bill the customers according to the usage (Kaplan & Laharika, 2013). Deployment of cloud computing can be through private, public, hybrid or community models. Private cloud Private cloud deployment is based on the use of the cloud network that is for one specified organisation. Cloud service is managed internally or by a third party that hosts the cloud internally or externally. The private cloud infrastructure is designed and deployed within the boundaries of the specified organisation. The service measure for the private cloud deployment is done on basis of Gigabyte usage in which is the basis of the billing. Being a private cloud, it implies that the data that is stored is only accessible and shared among the members of the organisation. Characteristics of private cloud Key characteristics of the private cloud include high security measures. The main concern that organisations raise about cloud computing is the security of their data. The need for the confidentiality is a major concern. As a result private cloud computing is designed with a customized firewall and a combination of security tools. These measures are taken to ensure that intruders trying to hack the system are denied access. The other key characteristic of the private cloud is the dedicated resources that ensure no compromise in the organisation being provided with the private cloud. This is achieved by the organisation having has processor time and buses for data which are designed to ensure the performance is of high quality. The third feature of the private cloud is greater customization. In addition to security component that is related to the customization, the private clouds are designed to suit the exact needs of organisation; this allows an organisation to have control over the data. Public Cloud The public cloud data storage and applications is accessible to many people i.e. the general population. The public cloud deployment model is based on the paying as you access the service. Due to the provision of the service to many people, it is designed to ensure unlimited space with a huge bandwidth through internet to all people accessing the service (Amies, Sluiman & Guo, 2012). The ownership of the public cloud is normally by a third party who also takes the responsibility of hosting it. The cloud service endeavors to serve the small, medium and large-scale businesses. The principle behind the functioning of the public cloud is the scalability demand where the subscriber does not have to own a hardware device (Kaplan & Laharika, 2013). An example of popular public cloud is the Google App Engine. Features of the public cloud (a) Flexibility: They enable the users to share data depending on the individual capacities. For example, Google App Engine gives the customers an environment that is very flexible. (b) Freedom of self-service: The public cloud is designed in a manner that enables the users to create their own cloud. They are pre-configured and accessible over the internet. This means that an individual or organisation dos not need the third party to configure and manage a public cloud. (c) Pay for the use: This feature of the public cloud allows more accessibility to businesses and individuals and provides a platform to work in a synchronized fashion in which the service rendered is charged on quantity used. (d) Availability and reliability: the public clouds have high agility. Its accessibility is not depended on a hardware device but on the internet accessibility. Hybrid cloud The hybrid cloud is the combination of the benefits of the private and public clouds. The main nature of the hybrid cloud is the flexibility, the security and ability to deploy multiple models and the control. The IT organisations make use of the hybrid clouds to scale across clouds by employing cloud bursting (Kaplan & Laharika, 2013). The cloud bursting is a model in which an application runs in private cloud or data centre and explodes to a public cloud in case the demand for the computing capacity is high. The primary advantage of the hybrid cloud bursting is because the organisations that are using it pay for extra resources that are only needed. Hybrid cloud architecture makes the use of the on-premises and the remote server infrastructure. Figure 1 below is a representation of hybrid cloud (Lee, 2012). Figure 1: Hybrid cloud Source: Kaplan and Laharika, 2013 Characteristics of hybrid cloud The primary characteristics of the hybrid cloud include: (a) Optimal utilisation: The capability to scale out the public resources gives it the possibility of increasing the server utilisation and handle crowds (Kaplan & Laharika, 2013). (b) Data consolidation: The feature of bursting out allows server consolidation and helps in the cost reduction. (c) Risk transfer: The combination of the public and private cloud gives the organisations the responsibility for keeping and running their data. The risk that may occur of misestimating the workload is shifted to the vendor from the operator, thus the provider has to ensure high uptime for the cloud service they provide (Kaplan & Laharika, 2013). Community cloud The community cloud infrastructure is normally shared among organisations that have like interests and management requirements. The third party manages the cloud or it can be managed internally. The hosting is also done either internally or externally. The costing is shared over fewer users unlike in the public cloud. This means that the costs are normally shared among the organisations that are using the cloud (Kaplan & Laharika, 2013). Concerns when choosing the provider An enterprise that is considering whether to use a cloud service for its corporate stock control and pricing systems should first consider risks associated with cloud computing. A cloud risk assessment carried out in 2009 identified the risks that have remained unchanged despite of the technological improvements that have been taking place (Ryan 2011). The major concerns include; governance loss, isolation failure, compromise of interface management, data protection, insecure data deletion, customers’ and security expectations. In choosing the provider, an organisation needs to analyse the needs in relation to each deployment method and against the nature and needs of the business in relation to security and cost. For instance, a business that deals with finance and health care, security and confidentiality are paramount. A service provider should thus guarantee the security. A private cloud will best be suited for such a case. In cloud computing, data normally travels over the internet. The service providers also store the data in remote locations. The cloud providers serve many customers; this may lead to a scale of exposure to possible breaches that can be both accidental and deliberate (Lee, 2012). Conclusion The businesses enterprises that need to use cloud computing should consider the deployment methods and model services that suit the individual needs of the business. The major concern with cloud computing has been the security issues and the safety of the data that is being stored in the cloud computing. Even though, there are no proven measures that guarantee maximum security, large cloud providers are at a better position to apply better technologies that enhance security than individuals and smaller service providers. This is due to better back up capabilities. Nevertheless, the pooling of data in cloud computing serves as an attraction to cybercriminals. It thus falls upon the businesses to analyse the options available and choose cloud computing provider and model that will ensure the enterprise’s needs are considered. References Kalpana, P. and Laharika, M. (2013). A comparative study of different deployment models in a cloud. International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Science and Software Engineering 3 (4), pp. 512-515. Amies, A., Sluiman, H. and Guo, N. (2012). Developing and Hosting Applications on the Cloud. New York: IBM Press. ENISA. (2012). Cloud Computing: Benefits, risks and recommendations for information security. Available at; http://www.enisa.europa.eu. [Accessed on 17th October, 2014] Lee, A. (2012). Cloud Computing: How It Affects Enterprise and Performance Monitoring, London: Con Media. Ryan, M. (2011). Cloud Computing Privacy Concerns on Our Doorstep. New York, USA: Wiley Press. Read More