Final Blog

     Over the past few weeks I have posted numerous cloud computing blogs of various different topics.  If I were to categorize them I would put them into the same group of general information except for one;



General Information

• What is DaaS?
• What happens when the Cloud goes down?
• What cloud services does Google offer?
• Does virtualization change cloud computing?
• What is Cloudwashing?
• Disadvantages of Cloud Computing
• Cloudera, what is it?

 Cloud Security

• The security challenges of the commercial cloud

     I tended to write on a variety of topics and usually did my best to ensure they were in line with what was being covered in the current weeks chapter. 

The locations I used to gather these topics and articles varied again.  Some of them were actually emailed to me from a link I follow called Military Information Technology.  I get daily topics related to my field of work, many of which dealt with cloud technology.  I also used another site called C4ISR and Networks, and finally good old Google. 



     Overall I don’t feel this information would benefit a security professional outside of giving some basic situational awareness for current trends and technology.  The articles I chose were more informational then instructional in nature.  As for the next group of students I feel there is a lot to be learned.  I for one was completely unfamiliar with this type of technology and had never taken part in any active online blogs.  I found it both interesting and educational.  I believe others will agree. 

What is DaaS?

     While doing research this week I came across a site that offered something different from what I am used to seeing.  Typically we have all been learning about Paas, SaaS and Iaas in cloud computing.  When I saw Daas, it got my attention and I found it interesting.  What is DaaS?  Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS), offers simplified delivery of cloud hosted desktops without sacrificing enterprise requirements for security and control.  To learn more about DaaS, click the link and take part in the webcast.  You can view this information at the site below. 

http://ci23.actonsoftware.com/acton/rif/2178/s-0500-1407/-/l-058a:345d/l-058a/showPreparedMessage

What happens when the Cloud goes down?

     We have talked a lot about what will happen if a cloud service goes down.  Many service providers state that software downloaded to the users system will still work, but in one case that I feel is not unique, Adobe found out otherwise.  This goes to support my hesitation with the dependence of cloud computing.  With all of the benefits it may bring there is still room for caution.  To learn more, read the article I have attached by clicking the link below. 

Adobe’s Creative Cloud Goes Offline and Takes a Million Designers With It

By Kyle Chayka “The Daily Beast”

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/05/15/adobe-s-creative-cloud-goes-offline-and-takes-a-million-designers-with-it.html#

What cloud services does Google Offer?

     This article is great!  It showcases ten of the top rated cloud applications that businesses and users can take advantage of.  The only requirement is to create an account.  These ten SaaS services include:

• Mozy
• Skype
• Box
• Toggl
• Moo
• Mailchimp
• Quickbooks
• Evernote
• Google Apps for business
• Outright

     I found all of these services to be very interesting and have even used some of them.  One in particular that did more than I expected was the Google Apps for Business.  These are a really great asset that a business could take advantage of.  To learn more click the link below and enjoy

http://www.salesforce.com/uk/socialsuccess/cloud-computing/10-great-cloud-applications-services-smes.jsp

Does virtualization change clout computing?

     Virtualization does change cloud computing, and in my opinion it changes it for the better.  With cloud virtualization businesses can improve IT efficiency which allows them to operate at a higher level, maximizing the potential of cloud computing.  Below is a link to an excellent article that explains even more about the improvements virtualization brings to the cloud computing world.  This article talks more about infrastructure and operational services, along with solutions and success.  I found it very informative.  To learn more, check it out. 

 http://www.vmware.com/cloud-computing?src=PaidSearch_vmawcorp_google_awareness_US&mkwid=s44PvwpWt&pcrid=42087295225&kw=cloud%20computing&mt=p&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=cloud%20computing&utm_content=42087295225&utm_campaign=GS_VMAWCORP_AMS_US_EN_P_PRD_CloudComputing_%28new%29

What is Cloudwashing?

     I found this white paper and really thought it was interesting.  It talks about how companies essentially mislead businesses into thinking they are receiving cloud services when in fact they are not.  It also gives the reader information on what to look out for and how to determine whether or not they may be getting duped by some simple signs.  To learn more click on my link below and enjoy.

 

http://ncc.tradepub.com/free/w_plex17/

Disadvantages of Cloud Computing.

     I have seen many benefits of the Cloud when it comes to business today.  I decided to search and see what kind of disadvantages there were.  Below is a link for an article I read on the top five disadvantages of Cloud Computing.  For example, I was surprised to see Cost as a disadvantage but after reading why it made sense.  “While many cloud computer vendors present themselves as utility-based providers, claiming that you're only charged for what you use, Gartner says that this isn't true; in most cases, a company must commit to a predetermined contract independent of actual use.” (Ward, N.D.)  I never would have thought of this.  To learn more about some of the disadvantages noted, please read the full article. 

 

http://sbinfocanada.about.com/od/itmanagement/a/Cloud-Computing-Disadvantages.htm