1. When You Can Use Cloud Computing? Whether or not you should use cloud computing depends on a number of factors, including Cost/benefit ratio Speed of delivery How much capacity you will use Whether your data is regulated Your organization’s corporate and IT structure Scenarios There are three different major implementations of cloud computing. How organizations are using cloud computing is quite different at a granular level, but the uses generally fall into one of these three solutions.

2. Compute Clouds Compute clouds allow access to highly scalable, inexpensive, on-demand computing resources that run the code that they’re given. Three examples of compute clouds are Amazon’s EC2 Google App Engine Berkeley Open Infrastructure for Network Computing (BOINC) These applications are good for any size organization, but large organizations might be at a disadvantage because these applications don’t offer the standard management, monitoring, and governance capabilities that these organizations are used to.

3. Cloud Storage One of the first cloud offerings was cloud storage and it remains a popular solution. Cloud storage is a big world. There are already in excess of 100 vendors offering cloud storage. This is an ideal solution if you want to maintain files off-site. Security and cost are the top issues in this field and vary greatly, depending on the vendor you choose. Currently, Amazon’s S3 is the top vendor.

4. Cloud Applications Cloud applications differ from compute clouds in that they utilize software applications that rely on cloud infrastructure. Cloud applications are versions of Software as a Service (SaaS) and include such things as web applications that are delivered to users via a browser or application like Microsoft Online Services. These applications offload hosting and IT management to the cloud.

5. Cloud applications often eliminate the need to install and run the application on the customer’s own computer, thus alleviating the burden of software maintenance, ongoing operation, and support. Some cloud applications include Peer-to-peer computing (like BitTorrent and Skype) Web applications (like MySpace or YouTube) SaaS (like Google Apps) Software plus services (like Microsoft Online Services) When You Shouldn’t Use Cloud Computing Accounting data Legislative Issues - An issue of more concern for the sensitivity f private data is that there are laws and policy that allow the government freer access to data on a cloud than on a private server. For example, the Stored Communications Act allows the FBI access to data without getting a warrant or the owner’s consent

6. It may simply be illegal to post your information on a cloud. If you are in Canada (for instance) and you want to post your data on an American cloud, you’re not safe. The Canadian government has declared that government IT workers may not use network services that are operating within U.S. borders. The reason is that the Canadian data stored on those servers could be negatively impacted based on the Patriot Act. Sure, Canada might be the friendly neighbor of the United States to the north, but at this point in time, they have a great policy. And the same can be said of clouds operating outside the United States. You probably don’t know the laws (if there are any) governing your privacy and protection in a foreign country.

7. Hardware Dependencies If you have an application that requires specific hardware, chips, or drivers, a cloud solution might not be a good fit for you. First, if you have special hardware needs, the chances are lower that the service provider will have the precise hardware you need. That can significantly narrow your options when it comes to shopping around and finding a good deal. Server Control If your application demands complete control over everything that is running, a cloud solution may not be right for you. If you need detailed control over the amount of memory, CPU, hard drive specs, or interfaces, then the cloud isn’t an appropriate match for your application. After all, these are all things managed by the service provider.

8. Cost One of the big draws of cloud computing is cost. That is, it tends to be less expensive to run an application on a cloud than to invest in the infrastructure, buy the application outright, and then manage it day to day. However, over time, it may cost more to pay the cloud subscription than to have simply bought the servers yourself, so it is important to factor in everything from facilities, staff, software, and hardware. Cost and the way clouds operate are a moving target. Some have suggested that the cloud might bring servers into the client’s datacenter. Another school of thought is a concept called cloud bursting. In this scenario, on-demand capacity can be provisioned to a cloud.

9. Integration with Existing Applications The fact of the matter is that if you have two applications that need to integrate, it’s best for one not to be located on-site and a second on the cloud. It creates problems with security, speed, and reliability. For instance, if you have two databases—one with sensitive data housed locally, and one with nonsensitive data on a cloud—the chances that the sensitive data will find its way to the cloud are very good.

10. Latency Concerns Since your data and application are located on a series of servers geographically disparate from your own site, it is going to take some time for the data to reach you. This isn’t an issue of hours or days—or even minutes. But if you require data instantaneously, the cloud might not be your best option. Throughput Demands Since cloud computing is generally billed in a utility format, you pay for what you use. That’s great and it seems fair, until you deploy applications that use a lot of throughput and costs start to rise. For instance, if you are streaming high-definition video over 100 sources, your costs are going to spike sharply.

11. Benefits Scalability If you are anticipating a huge upswing in computing need (or even if you are surprised by a sudden demand), cloud computing can help you manage. Rather than having to buy, install, and configure new equipment, you can buy additional CPU cycles or storage from a third party. Since your costs are based on consumption, you likely wouldn’t have to pay out as much as if you had to buy the equipment. Simplicity Again, not having to buy and configure new equipment allows you and your IT staff to get right to your business. The cloud solution makes it possible to get your application started immediately, and it costs a fraction of what it would cost to implement an on- site solution. Knowledgeable Vendors Companies like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, IBM, and Yahoo! have been good vendors because they have offered reliable service, plenty of capacity, and you get some brand familiarity with these well-known names.

12. Security There are plenty of security risks when using a cloud vendor, but reputable companies strive to keep you safe and secure.

14. Security Benefits This is not to suggest that your data is unsecure on the cloud. Providers do endeavor to ensure security. Otherwise, word of mouth and repeat business will shrivel up. But the very nature of the cloud lends it to needing some very strong security practices. Reduced Data Loss Monitoring Instant Swapover Logging-On a cloud, you don’t need to guess how much storage you’ll need and you will likely maintain logs from the get-go, if for no other reason than to check your usage. Security Testing

15. Regulatory Issues It’s rare when we actually want the government in our business. In the case of cloud computing, however, regulation might be exactly what we need. Without some rules in place, it’s too easy for service providers to be unsecure or even shifty enough to make off with your data. No Existing Regulation Who Owns the Data? Government Procurement