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SILVER
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What’s next for
cloud computing?
Network outages, security, privacy
– these are issues that affect all
computer users, regardless of
whether they’re working on or
offl ine. Cloud computing has some
mighty IT muscle behind it at the
DATA LOSS
moment, and the likes of Amazon,
Google and Microsoft are investing
heavily to ensure its place in the
Motorola’s Sidekick smartphone features an Although the incident was seen as a real
future of computing.
online service for backing up contacts, blow for cloud computing, it’s worth pointing
Google has already launched
photos, appointments and other personal out that data losses can affect all computer Chrome, an operating system that
data stored on the device. But last October, users – regardless of where they store their
could challenge the dominance of
T-Mobile in the US had to suspend sales of information. In fact, your PC’s hard drive is
Microsoft’s Windows. Chrome OS
uses open-source software, which
the Sidekick following a system failure in its perhaps more vulnerable, especially when it
means that anyone can create
backup server that caused customers to lose comes to internet-borne attacks. So it’s good applications that run on it. Google
personal data. T-Mobile later issued a practice to always back up your data on
adds that because the “entire
recovery tool on its forums and so most physical devices such as external hard drives,
experience” takes place within the
browser and there are no
users were able to recover their data. network storage appliances and disks.
conventional desktop applications,
users don’t have to deal with
installing, managing and updating
programs. “Any documents and fi les
PASSWORDS PRICING
created on the computer are
automatically synced and saved on
Google’s servers. Anybody who lost
It doesn’t take an IT expert to tell you that for cloud How much you pay for cloud services their PC would be able to buy a new
computing to achieve its full potential, it must offer depends on what you want to do. Some of
one and recover all their data in a
solid information security. But existing UK and EU the services mentioned here, such as
matter of seconds,” says Google.
Chrome OS could mean that we
laws on data protection and security don’t cover webmail and photo sharing, are free. But
only need netbooks that just offer
cloud computing in a clear way. Advice from the cloud computing also lets you use
online connectivity, without any
European Network and Information Security software as a service (SaaS). Which could operating system or applications
Agency says that until legal precedent and be handy if you’re running a business.
to load up when you fi rst switch on
regulations address security concerns specifi c to For instance, if you wanted your
your PC. In a recent demonstration
of its system, Google showed a PC
cloud computing, customers and cloud providers employees to be able to use MS Offi ce,
booting up in seven seconds.
alike should look to the terms of their contract to you’d need to buy a full multi-user licence. So is it time to say goodbye
effectively address security risks. But in the world of cloud computing, you
to the conventional computer?
Having a different password for each service you can pay to use such software as and when
Not quite. While cloud computing
could initially be used on a second,
use is advisable, but even this is not the safest you need it. Microsoft recently reduced the
portable machine, memory
option, especially for businesses. Cambridge- price of its Business Productivity Online
intensive tasks such as video
based PC security specialist Signify says that SaaS Suite (Exchange, SharePoint and Offi ce editing still need a more powerful
solutions, such as Salesforce.com and Google Live) from £10 to around £6 per user, per
PC with dedicated software
Apps, still only provide authentication with static month for a minimum of fi ve users.
installed on it.
Cloud computing is also coming
passwords that can be easily compromised. It Meanwhile, Google offers businesses its
to mobile phones. ‘4G’ networks
provides two-factor authentication (2FA) for such Google Apps products range for $50 (£30) that use Long-Term Evolution
service providers. 2FA requires the remote user to per user per year. Many large companies
technology will offer faster data
present two different factors as proof of identity: such as Rentokil and Guardian News and
speeds and more sophisticated
services and applications. It’s
something they know (usually a secret PIN code), Media are now using Google’s services for
predicted that these networks will
plus something they have – a tangible object such their employees and contractors.
become part of the cloud as the
as a token, mobile phone or USB dongle. technology develops.
www.bbcfocusmagazine.com February 2010 61
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