Challenges to Cloud Computing

Most of the issues associated with Cloud Computing have to do with the Public Cloud, though there are also some challenges with privacy in the Private Cloud.

If you don't remember the difference between the public and the private clouds, let me refresh your memory. The Public Cloud is the part of the cloud that internet users see and that we are all connected to through network. For example when you log onto Facebook, you are using the Public Cloud.

The Private Cloud is a little more tricky. Large companies mainly use the private cloud in order to access a more secure network that is not connected to the internet. The reason for this is that it is essentially 'private' and cannot be accessed by anyone except for those that it is intended, hence the term 'private cloud.'

Risks Associated with Cloud Computing

As I said before, the main security problems that Cloud Computing causes have to do with the public cloud. This is a big issue, because of the massive number of people using the internet on a daily basis, not only posting status updates and photos, but also creating an almost infinite amount of online content and data that must be stored securely. There are many issues involved with social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, because people do not realize that when they are posting photos and other things  on these sites, these files become the intellectual property of that particular site. Virtually no body reads the Terms of Service before signing up to a website, but you probably should, because it clearly outlines what is expected in terms of intellectual property when you are contributing to that site.

However, remember that the public cloud isn't the only one with problems.

The main issue with the private cloud is that the people that use it are worried about who has access to their private information and documents. Although the private cloud is supposed to be secure, this is not always true, and people can hack into servers and retrieve data that was supposed to be confidential or private, and can cause problems that can become as severe as identity theft.

Check out this video to learn more about cloud computing security! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiFnz5XdaQM