Cloud ComputingStuart Dillon-Roberts

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“In the simplest terms, cloud computing means storing & accessing data & programs over the Internet

instead of your computer's hard drive.” source: pcmag.com

What is the Cloud?

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Cloud Computing

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Internet based computing▫ Large groups of remote servers - networked▫ This network allows;

sharing of data processing tasks centralised data storage online access to services/resources

So the Cloud is..

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Clouds can be classified as;

Public – service multiple clients using shared infrastructure

Private – accessed by a single organisation, providing greater control & privacy

Hybrid – uses private & public clouds e.g. an organisation can use cheaper public cloud services for non sensitive info

Types of Clouds

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Key reasons SMEs cite for moving to the Cloud:

Lack of skills to manage IT in-house

Reduces spend on technology infrastructure

Cost advantages because of ‘Pay for Use’

Improve security/ Disaster Recovery Plans

Easier to share & collaborate with others

Benefits

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Other benefits include:

Scalable & flexible - you only pay for the resources you use

Improved accessibility

Globalise your workforce cheaply

Manage ‘Big Data’

Automatic software updates

Security

Decreased deployment time

Increased protection against computer failures & network outages

Benefits

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Someone else is responsible for your data

Your data could be anywhere

Cyberattacks & insider threats

Legal liability

Lack of standardisation

Lack of support

Ownership of data

Risks

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Privacy Commissioner’s cloud computing checklist for small business

Go to www.privacy.org.nz

Search ‘cloud computing’

Mitigating the Risks

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Know what info you’ll put in the cloud

Encrypt your data – in transit and in storage

Check out potential providers (audits, breaches, certifications & memberships, compliance with industry specific stds, downtime history, company stability, customer support)

Compare contracts (termination clauses, breaches, clarity, accountability, data management)

Find out where your data will be stored (country, privacy laws, management of government requests)

Determine who will have access to your data (3rd parties and their contracts)

Complete the Privacy Commissioner’s checklist

Mitigating the Risks

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Moving to the Cloud

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Cloud Services

Cloud services are generally grouped into 3 categories;

Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)

Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)

Enterprise infrastructure, cloud hosting, virtual data centres

Operating systems, server software, storage, network access, hosting

Software e.g. Microsoft 365, Google Gmail, Xero,

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Examples of cloud based software:

Financial Accounting Software

Sales Software

HR & Payroll Software

Storage Software

Email Software

Instant Messaging

More on SaaS

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Id your needs▫ What do you want to achieve?▫ What problems are you solving?▫ Don’t replace ‘like for like’ – investigate how it can transform

Do your research▫ Talk to others in your industry, mentors, research online, will your current Internet

connection allow easy fast access to data in the cloud?

Compare Cloud Providers – pros/cons list

Narrow your list to 2 or 3▫ Take advantage of free trials to double-check service will meet your needs▫ Talk to other businesses using them

Select your provider & plan implementation carefully▫ Consider resourcing, budget, testing etc

Moving to the Cloud –where to start

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Comparing Providers – Considerations

Customer support

• Can you contact them when you want?

• Can you speak to a person?• Response & resolution times?• Metrics provided?

Costs • What is the monthly fee?• What are the costs to migrate

data?• Are there support fees?• What other fees are there?

Organisation • Reputation• Where are they based? Where

are there servers?• How long have they been in

business?• What is their downtime history?

Scalability

• How easy is it to add services?• How easy is it to add data?• How easy is it to add users?

Migration • How does this process work?• Do they need to integrate with

your existing systems?• How would they do that?• If the agreement is terminated

how would they migrate to another provider?

Data • How do they protect your data?• Who ‘owns it’?• Who can gain access to the

data?• How will they deal with

government requests?• Are you notified if someone

accesses your data?

Contract • Is it clear & enforceable?• Does it include pricing, contract

length?• What are the termination

clauses?• What accountability do they

have?• What will they do if things go

wrong?• Will you be notified of a breach?• What happens to your data if

they go under?

Security • What certifications and/or memberships do they have

• What country are they in and what are the privacy lawsWhat contracts do they have with 3rd party providers & are the security protections the same?

• How do they deal with breaches?• Are they independently audited?

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Case Studies

Case study of using a cloud based accounting system (Xero) by tradies

Case study of using a cloud based job management system (GeoOp) by a gas & plumbing services company