[NTLUG:Discuss] Cloud computing

[Leroy Tennison]

On 06/30/2011 08:11 PM, Fred wrote:
> Hope y'all don't mind but after sitting through yet another presentation
> extolling the virtues of "The Cloud" like it was the latest present day
> patent medicine sold to cure everyone's ills, I couldn't resist the urge
> to pen a missive to my lists.
> Here 'tis:
>
> A Matter of Trust
>
>   Fred Stevens
>
>   6-29-2011
>
>   Would you give me your Social Security number? Would you
>   send me your bank statement? Would you let me know your
>   schedule so I can know when you are home (and when you are
>   not)? If not, why not? You have known me for a long time,
>   enough time to know what kind of person I am and if I would
>   safeguard your sensitive, personal data (which I would).
>
>   OK, so you have decided that maybe the information I want is
>   a bit too much to give. If that is true, then why in this
>   God's green earth would you ever contemplate doing the same
>   with a totally perfect stranger?
>
>   I am speaking of any - and I mean ANY - time that you give
>   that kind of information online you are entering into a
>   situation where you are assuming that the entity on the
>   other end is more deserving of your trust than someone you
>   have known for years. AND you don't have a clue as to the
>   actual workings of their data security.
>
>   Enter Cloud Computing, the next step in the wonderful
>   evolution of computing where all your data is stored "in the
>   cloud", or somewhere else besides in your computer. Imagine
>   all your Word docs, speadsheets, Quicken files, photos,
>   every piece of your life that has been computerized will now
>   be sitting out yonder somewhere "in the Cloud". Care to
>   hazard a guess about how many people are rushing out to
>   embrace this latest "progression"? Microsoft's new Office
>   365 is a major rewrite of their old reliable office suite
>   that embraces cloud computing in a big way. As far as data
>   security goes, how has their other offerings fared? What
>   makes anyone think that this will turn out any different?
>
>   So, if I truly want to get your very sensitive personal
>   data, I guess I will have to put in a server here, make up
>   some catchy name and offer the service to you for a monthly
>   fee so that not only will you hand over your data, you will
>   pay me for taking it from you.
>
>   You won't share that with a trusted friend but you will pay
>   to give it to a total stranger.
>
>   Thank you so very much
>
>   ======================
>
> _______________________________________________
> http://www.ntlug.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
>
I was wondering how long it was going to take for someone to say 
"Emperor's new clothes", obviously we're thinking along the same lines.  
Some items I would add: you are trusting their access (will they be on 
line when you need them and provide adequate bandwidth - here you are 
trusting all the links in the path), their backups/COB and DR plans 
(should something happen), their security (even if they are the most 
honorable entity around - what about all their employees, subcontractors 
and the other customers sharing the same resources you are on).

But, alas, the computer industry has sold people a number of bills of 
goods, some of which I would probably be excommunicated for mentioning 
(like TCP/IP as a protocol).