Cloud computing is an innovative and convenient way to share data. Cloud computing gives users the ability to save information and data online all while saving space on their own computers or devices, whether it be a smartphone, tablet, or traditional PC. Further, users often do not have to download software in order to gain access as many of the services are available via a web browser. However, cloud computing as it currently stands, has its disadvantages. Though many technology buffs may contend that cloud computing is the next best thing since the invention of sliced bread and the internet, we should first address the consequences that may arise from our growing dependency on it.
Take a minute first and try to come up with your own list of problems that could prove to be an obstacle for the aspiration of cloud computing. Only by recognizing the current disadvantages of cloud computing can we improve upon its weaknesses in order to advance further in the field of information systems technology.
One of the problems with cloud computing is that there is a chance your data could be lost if the cloud provider’s server crashes. Many host providers try to solve this by implementing heavily redundant systems which minimizes downtime should one of the cloud’s servers go down; however, this method can become expensive to provide as the data storage grows. Worse yet, data could be lost and irretrievable due to an unannounced or unplanned business failure of the cloud’s provider. Relying purely on cloud servers for data storage could prove to be a costly mistake if the cloud’s servers were to be forcibly shut down. Take for example the case of MegaUpload, which used to be a popular file sharing and storage website that was recently confiscated by the US government under the suspicion of piracy and copyright infringement. Many users’ of MegaUpload lost their data when the site was abruptly shut down, taking with it over 25 million gigabytes of stored data – the case is still under investigation. Without personal backup of cloud-stored information, users run the risk of losing their data at any given time.
Another growing problem with cloud computing is the relatively weak security checks set in place by most service providers. Even users of well-known cloud services, such as Apple's iCloud, is susceptible to being hacked. Brent Dirk sums up the situation quite nicely, stating simply that, "while you can pull up your information on any device, [now] hackers can too”. Having all of your information stored together under one source can be convenient, but can quickly become an ordeal if your account with the cloud provider were to be compromised.
Another possible problem is because your data is in the cloud it needs to be encrypted, sometimes when you try to retrieve the data, it might have missing pieces and because of that will be unusable. And most obviously because all this data is in a huge cloud it will be easy for hackers to find the data and steal it.
What are other possible problems that cloud computing has, and what are your suggestions for figuring them out?
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