Answer

Cloud Computing

Introduction

Cloud computing is a new Information Technology aspect that allow data to be processed and shared globally over remote servers. By definition, cloud computing refers to the scenario of utilizing remote servers’ network supported by the internet in data storage, management, and processing as opposed to using a local server or personal computer (Voorsluys et al., 2011). Therefore, as a new technology, it has both advantages and disadvantages which should be succinctly examined. To this end, this paper is divided into two sections: part one and part two. Part One investigates both the advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing. Consequently, Part Two examines the guiding principles behind information security by practically assessing the iCloud account of a celebrity which was hacked and compromised in 2014. In general, this piece argues that the use of cloud computing would not be beneficial to the now UK team.

Part One

Generally cloud computing is beneficial for data sharing and use over a large area. The United Kingdom is large nation comprising of various states, and this phenomenon necessitates the use of cloud computing. As already been told, the de facto systems administrator is soon to retire and this will interfere with the use of a network of PCs coupled with a server and backup storage since the new manager or administrator would not be well conversant with the system. Thus, cloud computing is the panacea. From the onset, the switch to cloud computing is a good idea because it provides unlimited storage capacity of information. Therefore, there is no anxiety or worry concerning running out of storage space or widening the current storage availability. The usage of remote servers over the internet in storing, managing, and processing data suffices as opposed to the use of personal computers (Voorsluys et al., 2011).

Additionally, data back-up and re-storage is relatively much easier over the cloud as compared to the storage of the same on physical devices (He et al., 2012). Cloud computing is also the cost efficient method to maintain, use, and upgrade. Traditional PC software costs organizations in relation to financial commitment. In addition, the licensing fees charged on multiple users prove to be expensive as far as the use of PCs is concerned (King, 2010). On the other hand, cloud computing is used at cheaper rates and, thus, significantly lowers the Information Technology (IT) expenses for an organization. Moreover, cloud computing allows for scalable options making it reasonable for an organization to adopt and implement it. These factors mentioned above support the use of cloud computing by the now UK team to store, manage, and process data.

As much as cloud computing is beneficial for a wider coverage application, it has disadvantages as well. The obvious delimitation is the issue of data insecurity. Before adopting cloud computing, companies should be informed of the fact that their sensitive information would be surrendered to the cloud service provider, third party. This scenario puts an organization at a greater risk. Additionally, the data can be hacked by other people making the data to be venerable and shared by other people (Chhibber, 2013). Thus, by using cloud computing, a company should put necessary measures in ensuring that their information is safe and secure. Nevertheless, this remains to be a challenge to most organizations. For instance, in 2008 a disgruntled former employee of the blog provider Journal Space corrupted the database containing the customers’ blogs. To this end, firms must be absolutely sure in seeking the services of reliable providers which can be trusted with the information stored in cloud computing.

On application, technical issues arise on the premise that information over the cloud is accessible anytime from anywhere causing some staid dysfunction. Consequently, the system is susceptible to outages (Mills, 2015). As such, the unexpected malfunction can affect most users often. Subsequently, the many users who are obsessed by the new technology insinuate that a plethora of problems or errors are inevitable. Cloud computing is regarded as a new technological advancement and the 21^st century users have adopted it to ensure easier information storage, maintenance, and processing. Thus, system failures have affected most people in the same magnitude. Furthermore, an excellent internet connection is required for logging in into the system any time, hence there is a high likelihood of invariable struck in case of connectivity and network problems (Chhibber, 2013). These disadvantages of cloud computing are real and provide substantial setbacks to successful adoption and implementation of cloud computing in various organizations. To be precise, the issue of data insecurity has made most organizations to use a network of PCs with a server and backup storage. This is very unfortunate in the digital age where every individual is seeking after convenience in any endeavor. As such, the now UK team should strategize well putting into consideration the pros and cons of cloud computing as far as data storage and processing is concerned.

Part Two

In 2014, iCloud accounts of various celebrities were hacked and compromised that saw the release of private photos and videos being leaked over the internet. The iCloud accounts were interfered with by a besieged attack on passwords, usernames, and security questions. One of the celebrities who were majorly affected was Ariana Grande, a singer. A dozen of nude photos of this celebrity were released by anonymous message. A lot of theories have been devised to explain the phenomenon, but one of the most intriguing insinuates that many hackers had spent months to access the seemingly secure accounts either because they were hired in stealing the photos, or to trade the images online for other things bets known by the hackers themselves (Shontell, 2014). Among the three principles of information security: confidentiality, integrity, and accessibility, accessibility is the most violated principle. According to the investigation done by Apple’s engineers within a period of 40 hours, none of the cases resulted from breach in the Apple’s system. In conclusion, the organization recommended that to protect against a similar attack, the users or clients were advised to continuously use a resilient or strong password enabled through two-step verification. This is primarily to prevent accessibility by the hackers.

Conclusion

Cloud computing as a new Information Technology concept has both pros and cons: the limitations seem to outweigh the benefits. Consequently, while technology advancement proves to be an organizational asset, it can be harmful to the organization at the same time. Cloud computing has benefits such as creating almost unlimited space for data storage and processing, and affordable costs since it is relatively much easier over the cloud as compared to the storage of the same on PCs. On the other hand, cloud computing is vulnerable to various challenges. Firstly, the pronounced challenge is the information insecurity where the online data is prone to hackling by peddlers hence safety and confidentiality concern. Secondly, the possible technicalities such as system failure drastically affect a myriad of users at an instance. Thirdly, the excellent internet connection required for logging in into the system any time, presents a high likelihood of invariable struck in case of connectivity and network problems, and this has a bearing on malfunctioning experienced by a plethora of users. Successively, the fact that cloud computing is used by many clients denotes that the many errors that result negatively impact on the users. Practically, in 2014, iCloud accounts of various celebrities were hacked and compromised that saw the release of private photos and videos being leaked over the internet. The iCloud accounts were interfered with by a targeted attack on passwords, usernames, and security questions. This phenomenon just indicates how information on cloud is susceptible to accessibility by the third party. Thus, the usage of cloud computing is risky to the now UK team.