Over the ages, information storage has played the most important role in many areas, including politics, informatics, medicine, etc. With the advancement of modern technology and the emergence of various physical storage devices, significant storage capacity has been achieved. However, there have always been some obstacles to the device size (the required storage capacity). This is an urgent need to find a virtual storage place that does not follow the solid gear we use. Here came cloud technology (or as called “cloud computing”) that constituted a unique qualitative leap in the world of modern technology. It provided a virtual online storage environment. Thus, it enabled users to have storage capacities beyond those assigned to their devices. Plus, you can share files better.
How did the idea of cloud computing begin?
Cloud computing began as an idea in 1963. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has demanded funding to develop technology that allows the use of a computer by two or more people.
The idea expanded further in 1969. The psychologist and computer scientist “lick” promoted a vision called “Intergalactic Computer Network”, which means “intergalactic computer network.” His idea was to have everyone on the planet interconnected through computers. And it can access information from anywhere.
In the 1990s, the use of virtual computers was widespread. Thus, the term “cloud” was used to express the space between the end user and the provider.
Finally, in 1997, Professor Ramnath Shibana stated “Ramnath Chellapa” about the new computing model in which the limits of computing will be defined. Through economic logic until 1999, when Salesforce became a popular example of cloud computing’s successful use. It will later be followed by many companies that have been creative in using cloud computing through their services.
Cloud Technology or Cloud Computing
Cloud technology or as called cloud computing can be defined simply as a virtual online storage space that enables users to save their digital files such as software, files, and applications for example.
How can we benefit from cloud computing?
The benefits of the cloud can be summarized in these points. The benefits of the cloud are myriad in all areas.
- Enable users to keep their information in a secure place permanently (unlike hard gear such as computers, hard drives, and others that can be damaged over time).
- Give users additional storage space over the storage space on their devices.
- This technology allows users to use digital resources stored in the virtual space, through networks.
- Allows people to share information and applications. In addition to accessing them at any time without observing their actual location.
- It allows great operational flexibility as it is suitable for companies that need to display a variable range because it allows expansion when needed, as well as can be easily downsized.
- Cloud technology helps companies reduce their financial expenses for physical storage devices.
- Cloud technology allows information to be protected from loss or loss. This is through the use of backup and recovery techniques in an effective manner.
Examples of the use of cloud computing
- Email, Calendar, WhatsApp, and Skype: These applications benefit from providing the cloud to access any information stored on them. This is done at any time and from any organ and thus allows flexibility in working.
- Google Docs, Microsoft 365: Users can also access the information used in these apps anytime and from anywhere. Thus, it facilitates the technology of working in companies and enterprises that use these two applications.
- Zoom application: This application is a software platform through which meetings, lectures, and conferences can be held online. Cloud technology helps this platform save registered conferences. Others will be able to see it later if they do not attend this Conference, or wish to see it again.
Types of cloud technology
Cloud computing is divided into three main categories:
Infrastructure as Infrastructure as a Service (Iaas)
Iaas provides an application operating infrastructure that provides physical devices such as virtual computers, servers, and storage devices in a remote data center accessible to users via the Internet. Using login ID and password from any device in the world.
Platform as a service (Paas)
Paas provides a ready-to-use working environment. This environment is information technology resources already deployed (such as operating systems and databases) as these resources are made available to users via the cloud through the use of the Internet to replace the purchase of all these resources.
Software as a service (Saas)
Saas provides software that can be kept in the cloud service instead of downloading the software on our device which requires storage space. And the software updates that must be kept up to date.
Disadvantages of cloud technology
Cloud security in cloud computing:
Security is the biggest challenge facing cloud computing as there is a risk of data breaches on the cloud. Also, there is a lack of transparency regarding how and where sensitive information received by the cloud provider is processed. Therefore, insufficient security regarding data storage.
Inability to estimate the cloud computing cost:
A paid subscription to the cloud is based on Pay-as-you-go. They therefore create unplanned and unpredictable costs.
Lack of cloud computing capacity and experience:
The rapid advancement of cloud technologies requires staff and experts with sufficient expertise to manage the work and deal with new developments in cloud technology.
The difficulty of IT governance:
Cloud governance focuses on a set of rules and policies adopted by cloud operators to enhance data security and better risk management. There is a clear failure to protect against cyberattacks and non-compliance in the goods cloud delivery.
Compliance with industry laws:
When transferring data from local storage (storage within a device) to cloud storage it can be difficult to manage compliance with industry laws by a third party. It is therefore necessary for the user to learn about the basic laws that relate to the country in which the data will be processed, the laws that will be applied, and the impact of these laws.
These can be difficult because there are many laws (like data protection and localization laws). But it’s essential to learn about them when it comes to information access laws that enable those responsible to access your data in the cloud.
Management of multiple clouds:
Each cloud is different from the other. Therefore, in the case of multiple clouds (multi-cloud hybrid network), cloud computing challenges become more complex.
Cloud Performance:
Cloud performance such as commuting time (the period from sending the message from the sender to the future until receipt of the receipt notice by the sender) is beyond the control of the enterprise using cloud services. This can thus disrupt this institution’s business.
Build a private cloud:
Private fasteners are a daunting process for the department responsible for this process.
Cloud migration:
The transformation of applications and data to a cloud often has negative complications. Data migration can also take excessive time and additional cost. Plus some performance problems.
Problem switching between cloud providers:
Switching the cloud provider by the user often leads to technical incompatibility issues and differences in legal limitations. In addition to the significant costs resulting from big data migration.
The difference between cloud computing and cloud storage
The answer is simple: “Cloud computing” means running operations like online software. “Cloud storage” means storing data on servers to make it available online.
What are the goals of cloud computing for the future?
Cloud computing aims to develop several points in the future, these points include:
- Increase storage capacity.
- Improving Internet performance.
- Normative programs should be the priority.
- Developing IoT for cloud computing.
- Increasing the cloud computing market growth and the customer’s use of cloud technology.
- Improving cloud services.
- Improving cloud computing security.
