Cloud Computing is the new industry buzz that everyone is talking about, but what exactly is it?

The generally accepted definition is that Cloud Computing is a model for provisioning computing resources (e.g. processing, storage, applications and services etc.) where the resources are:

• Shared
• Configurable
• Available on-demand with minimal human intervention

Inherent in Cloud services is that they are distributed and location independent. That is, the services are delivered from somewhere else and accessed via a network.

Cloud Computing offers organisations potentially huge cost savings and increased agility and scalability in the provisioning of their IT services. However Cloud technology is not without challenges and many organisations will find current offerings only satisfy part of their operational needs. Issues facing adopter’s include:

• Security – some organisations have regulatory and compliance obligations that may raise concerns about the shared aspects of Cloud services
• Interoperability – organisations with large and complex IT environments must face the challenge of integrating distributed services with existing architecture
• Standardisation – the industry is still in its infancy and there are few standards governing the operation of Cloud suppliers

Critical questions organisations should ask when considering Cloud services are:

• Flexibility – how much flexibility is there over configuration of the environment?
• Scalability – how easy is it to upsize (or downsize) the services, and what are the processes, timeframes and costs?
• Access and availability – what are the implications of relying on WAN services for access to the Cloud?
• Security – how does the provider protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of your organisations data

Despite the challenges, Cloud Computing offers early adopters significant benefits including cost savings, reduced provisioning lead times and improved scalability. Those that address the challenge and start integrating Cloud into their environments now will be well placed to expand these services and gain a completive edge as the industry matures.

ICTS has the expertise necessary to assist your organisation in making the right choice when leveraging this important technology.

To find out how we can help, contact us today.