The rapid popularization of cloud-based computing marks a new stage in the evolution of network technologies. Cloud-based storage systems offer enormous opportunities and advantages to users, regardless of their physical location. Large and small organizations have already realized the benefits of storing their data on clouds. Nevertheless, many other businesses and individual users have fears that the data they choose to store on the cloud will lack security and integrity. However, these fears can be easily resolved with the help of encryption. Besides, many cloud-based vendors in the United States run sophisticated security systems to guarantee the highest degree of protection against unauthorized intrusions or hacking.
In fact, the fear of cloud-based storage is quite common among both businesses and individual consumers. Jamsa (2012) confirms: “one of the disadvantages of cloud-based data storage is that some users simply do not feel comfortable placing their data within the cloud” (p. 74). Patrick (2015) continues that at least 50 percent of all small businesses in the U.S. fail to leverage the advantages of cloud computing. Individual consumers are equally susceptible to the fear that the decision to place their data on the cloud will result in security breaches, privacy lapses, and difficulties accessing and using cloud storage capabilities (Patrick, 2015). Yet, despite their complexity, these fears can be easily overcome.
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"Selecting a Cloud-Based Vendor in the United States".
One of the primary steps to reduce these concerns is with the help of encryption. It has proved to be particularly effective in eliminating user concerns regarding the security and safety of the data stored on the cloud (Jamsa, 2012). Companies in the U.S. develop and provide encryption and decryption software products, which can improve the security of cloud-based data storages and reduce individual and public fears of cloud computing (Jamsa, 2012). File encryption could greatly benefit businesses and individual users, by giving them a sense of confidence that their data is protected from external risks.
Simultaneously, the problem with many users is that they lack awareness of the benefits offered by clouds (Patrick, 2015). Consequently, another step to reduce user concerns will be to provide them with a more profound understanding of clouding, its benefits and implications for security, as well as mechanisms used by cloud-based vendors to minimize their vulnerability to security threats. In essence, a cloud is a remote hard drive or server, which is used to store user data (Schwendau, 2013; Sweigart, 2012). Users will benefit from developing a more thorough apprehension of the security models used by vendors to keep their data secure and safe. Numerous examples of successful and safe clouding could help users reduce their fears. For example, Sweigart (2012) talks of Fulton County Schools in Atlanta, Georgia, where cloud-based collaboration has become a standard of quality and professionalism. Users may want to see that other individuals and organizations have successfully used encrypted cloud-based data for their purposes. Nevertheless, they still need to be thorough selecting the best cloud-based vendor in the U.S.
To choose a cloud-based data storage solution for a company, the following factors will have to be considered. Today’s vendors do not limit themselves in their striving to develop secure user-friendly cloud storage interfaces, while allowing for greater data redundancy, scalability, and disaster recovery capabilities (Jamsa, 2012). Apparently, the best cloud-based data storage will combine the features of extreme security, excellent availability, and perfect disaster recovery ” these are the things to be reviewed and analyzed when choosing a cloud-based storage vendor for a company. It would be useful to review the existing industry-based cloud applications. For instance, the healthcare system is developing a large uniformly accessible cloud-based system that will store patients’ electronic medical records (Jamsa, 2012). Such systems could also be available in other industries, giving the company a better position in the world of networking and remote data management and control.
At the same time, the ease of accessing and using cloud-based data storage is no less important than the security of the data placed on the cloud. Oracle (2012) is right suggesting that the best vendors have the so-called “try before you buy” programs, which can alleviate the most typical security fears and enable company managers to pilot the solution they intend to use for their data. In most cases, acquiring cloud-based data storage is a matter of huge investments, and the organization must be aware of the obvious advantages and hidden pitfalls of selecting a specific cloud-based vendor. Finally, before the decision is made, the costs and complexity of administering cloud-based data should be reviewed and analyzed. According to Jamsa (2012), cloud-based database providers should “maintain the database version updates and patches” (p. 81). The ease of administration and use will become one of the essential points in selecting a cloud-based vendor in the U.S.
In conclusion, cloud-based systems and storage databases are gaining momentum in the U.S. However, many users still hold prejudices as to the security and integrity of the data they may wish to place within the cloud. Besides, selecting a robust cloud-based vendor in the U.S. is a challenge for companies and individual users. Today, file encryption could provide a solution for those users, who still fear that their cloud-based data will be vulnerable to hacking risks. Industry-specific cloud databases could facilitate companies’ access to remote data without exposing their technical and information vulnerabilities to external parties. Overall, cloud computing is the future of communication and information technologies, and it is likely to become a new standard of data management, processing, and storage for companies worldwide.
- Jamsa, K. (2012). Cloud computing. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
- Oracle. (2012). Ten questions to ask your cloud vendor before entering the cloud. Retrieved from http://www.oracle.com
- Patrick, S. (2015). The small business fear of the cloud ” Debunked. Cloud Computing News. Retrieved from http://www.cloudcomputing-news.net/news/2015/nov/25/small- business-fear-cloud-debunked/.
- Schwendau, M. (2013). Cloud-based CAD offers collaboration and engagement. Tech Directions, 73(3), 26-29.
- Sweigart, S. (2012). Cloud-based collaboration connects engineering teachers. Techniques: Connecting Education & Careers, 87(8), 8.
