Cloud Computing By: Vanika Jennings

What Is Cloud Computing ? Cloud Computing is referred to as services and applications provided to personal consumers and businesses via the internet. Essentially “the cloud” is a large server where clients can easily access a variety of virtual resources.

Benefits and Features of Cloud Computing for Businesses Pay as You Go Storage Capacity Storage or capacity space, can be purchased on a pay as you go basis, instead of over-specifying hardware and storage in advance. Storage capacity purchased beyond what is needed, can be returned to the cloud service provider. Internet Based System Access Cloud servicing also allows users within the same network to access the cloud worldwide given that the internet access in available. The convenience and the ease of access is a plus for businesses that have employees who need to access business data anytime, and anywhere.

Benefits to Cloud Computing for Businesses Cont. Cloud Based Operating System and a Hard Drive Cloud computing helps to reduce staffing cost due to outsourcing the hardware and environment maintenance. Businesses saves costs on hardware, software, and licensing fees due to the cloud controlling and updating the necessary software and development platforms.

Risks to Cloud Computing - System Attacks Denial of Service Attack (DOS) DOS attacks are done when a hacker initiates or (flood attacks) the network with a large amount of invalid requests, in turn causing the legitimate requests to be ignored These attacks cause major issues for network users such as system crashes, lost data, and downtime while the user awaits the system services being restored. One attacker has the power to disconnect hundreds of millions of users’ offline instantaneously. Man In the Middle Attack The man in the middle attack occurs when an attacker has the ability placed themselves or malicious hacking tools between the communication path of the user and a secured socket layer SSL ending path. This allows the attacker to access encrypted and unencrypted confidential information The major danger of this attack is that it can occur without the user knowing that they have been hacked.

Risks to Cloud Computing - System Attacks Cont. Network Sniffer Sniffing is generally referred to as a “passive” type of attack, wherein the attackers can be silent/invisible on the network. The sniffer can go unnoticed on a network for long periods of time, and possibly decode and break into the secured layers of the network system to further attack the users. Sniffing can cause possible system crashes, compromised access to passwords and user IDs, and also confidential network details.

Conclusion Cloud computing is the way of the future. The convenience and the ease of access of Cloud computing is a plus for businesses that have employees who need to access business data anytime, and anywhere. The drawbacks of Cloud computing is the network and security issues. Businesses should think thoroughly about using "the Cloud" to suit their business needs.