Virtualization and cloud computing are two words that are often used interchangeably to mean the same thing, but they are to some extend different. Virtualization can be used to a verb to mean going virtual. Alternatively, virtualization would also be used when referring to software that enables firms and organizations to leverage multiple systems and applications on the same server simultaneously (Murukutla, 2010). Virtualization makes different applications and systems such as servers, data storage facilities, and workstations independent. On the other hand, cloud computing refer to a server that is harnessed from virtualization. When an organization virtualizes its systems, it harnesses many benefits including cloud computing (Murukutla, 2010). The disaster management industry is becoming complex and growing big with every passing day, hence the need for systems that can handle big data and make recovery procedures easier, fast, and efficient to minimize loses when incidences occur.
Organizations that offer humanitarian services including health care need to have platforms for handling big data and quick disaster recovery. Between May and August 2017, the UK’s largest health organization, NHS experienced a major system attack by a ransomware. During the attack, the organization could not offer critical services to the people who depended on it. A lot of data and useful information was lost in the process and the organization had to look to its cloud data for recovery as it dealt with the shackles of the devastating attack (Murukutla, 2010). The incident exposed disaster management techniques by organizations in the health industry, as well as other humanitarian service providers. It also vindicated the need for cloud backups and system virtualization in modern day disaster management and humanitarian service industries. It further showed that virtualization and cloud computing can lower risks associated with incidence occurrences when systems become targets for malevolent activities across the globe.
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Virtualization allows for big data handling and information management, giving humanitarian organizations an opportunity to carry on their operations with minimum stoppages because of data security risk and disaster occurrences. It allows organizations to have organized data handling, by running different servers, applications, and storage facilities simultaneously on the same database (Murukutla, 2010). In the event of attacks, an organization using virtual servers does not lose all of its data because virtualization duplicates the data for backup in the event that the original copies are lost in future. Offsite databases protect data and information from physical damages and allow organizations to store huge volumes of data because of the large virtual space. With the growing global population, organizations cannot rely on physical storage devices to handle the incoming big data. They need virtual spaces to maintain the large volumes of data for business continuity and improved production.
However, even though the idea of virtualization and cloud computing by humanitarian and healthcare industries seem good, people still need to address the security challenges that come with these technologies. The NHS case is a clear indication that virtualization and cloud computing have their flaws that must be addressed first before organizations take the initial steps to virtualize their operations. Security challenges such as system attacks by hackers and malware should be considered before and after virtualization. Organizations should assess, analyze, and come up with mitigation processes for all the systems’ vulnerabilities. The virtual community is full of foul plays and malicious activities that can sometimes be costly if not dealt with in time.
Therefore, as humanitarian organizations and health service firms continue to leverage the virtual technology, they must be wary of the risks that associated with cloud computing and virtualization. The advantages and benefits should cloud their ability see impending threats to data and information. They should install all the needed security protocols and have good backup mechanisms for quick recovery and business continuity.
- Murukutla, M. (2010). Virtualization: disaster recovery for the hospitality industry? University of Nevada, Las Vegas
