3 Major Risks of Cloud Computing: Does USB Encryption Offer More Security?

In recent years, digital data storage has reached new heights through the introduction of "cloud" computing. With this method, information is stored on various, inter-connected servers where it can be accessed via Internet. The "cloud" is a symbol for the Internet, typically used in computer network diagrams, that represents the vast online infrastructure. Cloud computing suggests a secure and easily accessible mode of data storage; however, there is reason to doubt the service. Unlike flash drives safely guarded with USB encryption, cloud computing is intangible: users must rely on cloud computing service providers, external computer servers, and Internet capacity. As cloud computing is quickly gaining prominence, it is important to fully understand the technology and its risks. A recent password malfunction at Dropbox, a cloud storage site, emphasizes potential cloud computing hazards. Three major dangers associated with cloud computing include: privacy, undefined data location, and reliance on Internet connection.

Absolutely no software or personal storage devices are required with cloud computing. Individuals can access their cloud-stored data with any type of Internet based device, such as computers, netbooks, and smartphones. Cloud computing is essentially as simple as registering with a cloud computing service, acquiring a password to an individual cloud account, and adding data to the cloud. Unfortunately, its simplicity is also its weakness.

Privacy is the first major risk of cloud computing. A significant amount of trust is placed into the cloud and those who operate it. Since users are only left with a password and a promise of security, the rest is up in the air, literally. Data bounces between multiple servers operated by cloud service providers who have access to customer information, encryption keys, and stored data. This system makes privacy and the second major risk, data location, key points of concern. Cloud providers store user data on numerous servers located around the world. The exact storage location for data is not revealed to customers. Location and security go hand in hand; not knowing where data is stored creates uncertainty about data security. Lastly, cloud-stored data is only accessible through the Internet. If the Internet were to fail for any reason, data would be completely unobtainable. This is where personal drives serve as a more secure option: if data is stored on an encrypted drive, factors such as privacy, data location, and Internet malfunction will never hinder data retrieval.

With so many risks in the cloud equation, data is somewhat vulnerable to invasion. During the week of June 20, 2011, a flaw in the system at Dropbox left the stored data of millions of clients completely exposed. The system error enabled site visitors to access user accounts with any password, leaving each account completely open to attack. Dropbox provides its customers with specific passwords to their accounts instead of using difficult encryption keys. This may be easier for users; however, it exacerbates the level of liability. In order for data to be securely stored within the cloud, Dropbox possesses all of the encryption keys. Data is encrypted and protected by Dropbox, but customers lack complete control of their own information.

Cloud computing is a great tool for accessing data anywhere and anytime, provided that Internet connection is available. However, relying completely on the "cloud" for storing information and data backups is not entirely dependable: control is not solely in the hands of the user. When it comes to securing important information, questionability and doubt should not be associated factors. Storing data on a personal drive that utilizes USB encryption, such as the LOK-IT Secure Flash Drive®, erases all unlikelihood. Encrypted flash drives offer security and the assurance that data will always be in the hands of the individual, and not drifting through cyberspace.

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Mobile Cloud Computing Changing the Face of Business

Apple has made much of iCloud's launch - and while it's easy to be wary of hype, Apple's past successes have made the world take notice of cloud services. So what does it herald for businesses?

iCloud embodies everything that Apple excels at: it's user-friendly and seamlessly integrated into Apple's product range. Microsoft's SkyDrive provides a similar service, yet despite being older, it may become just another challenger. However, like Google Android's open ethos in the mobile OS market, SkyDrive could become a more inclusive, business-friendly platform for data sharing than iCloud, which is likely to retain the 'barbed-wire fence' approach reminiscent of Apple's App Store, iTunes service and iPod digital media format.

Following typical technology trends, both iCloud and SkyDrive are set to be rapidly adopted by virtue of the wide compatibility of product ranges, from Apple's iPhone integration to the cross-platform flexibility of Microsoft's sprawling business and consumer product range. To this extent, according to a 2010 IBM survey, thanks to the success of iPhones, iPads, Windows Phone 7 and Google's Android operating system, cloud computing is on the cusp of mainstream domination. So, with mobile cloud computing set to explode in popularity, its advantages and challenges are more relevant than ever.

Advantageously, it enables cost-effective, flexible, on-the-go access, so staff will become more productive on the move, building relationships and sharing data online. Easy data manipulation via mobile devices will also allow businesses to react rapidly to customer demands. Furthermore, cloud computing will see businesses reduce costs by eliminating dedicated IT requirements and downtime on physical servers. And most importantly, the translation to mobile will make cloud computing's advantages more widely available.

Of course, it also carries its share of challenges. Foremost is security. Hosting sensitive data off-premises inevitably poses risks. Coupled with the problem of mobile device theft, many businesses are understandably reluctant. It remains to be seen what security measures will be taken, but once these are addressed, IBM found that 91% of businesses expect cloud services to become the dominant feature of IT.

Cloud computing can expect a huge surge in attention from consumers and businesses thanks to iCloud. The relentless drive for mobile innovation, alongside the launch of Google's ChromeBook, will further emphasise the clouds importance for business. However, businesses still need to adapt to survive. Cloud services mean IT is going mobile. It's those businesses that unlock its potential that will thrive.

Next Connex specialise in bespoke data centre solutions, desktop virtualisation & cloud services for businesses throughout the UK, leading the way in the next generation of data storing and connectivity. For more information on the range of services available from Next Connex visit http://www.nextconnex.com/

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Backup Strategies for Home and Small Business Computing

When it comes to protecting the data stored on your home or small business computer, if you are like most of us the cheapest and easiest solution is the one you use. Unfortunately, data loss occurs much more frequently than most people realize. According to many industry researchers a complete loss of data occurs so often that it costs U.S. businesses $12 billion annually. The cost is significantly higher if the loss of home computer data is included, but detailed statistics are not comprehensive enough to provide a true impact of the problem.

Whether you have a single PC or laptop at home, or an entire department of computer systems in use at your small business, protecting the data on those systems is critically important to you and your business. While data loss can occur in any number of ways, hardware failure and accidental deletion are two key factors that contribute heavily to the statistics. Fortunately, both of these risks are easily mitigated with the use of simple, effective and reliable backup solutions for the home or small business user.

Internet-Based Online Backup Services

Online backup services are not one-size-fits-all solutions. Each backup company offers different plan types, which are often classified as Home and Business plans. Home online backup plans, also referred to as Personal plans by some service providers, are geared towards the home user whose primary concern is having a reliable and secure backup of their personal data such as documents, photos, and music. Business online backup plans, on the other hand, are designed to meet the critical advanced storage needs of small to large businesses in which data recovery must occur rapidly in order to sustain the business.

Online backup storage plans can offer from as little as 10GB of storage space to an unlimited amount, depending on the service provider and the needs of the customer. The costs for such plans vary, with home user plans ranging from $5 - $25 per month and small business plans ranging from $25 to $1,500 per month. Plans are typically priced based on storage capacity and features.

These types of services are preferable to other options because backups can be better automated, helping to ensure that routine backups are taking place. However, because data is transferred across the Internet to a remote backup device a high-speed broadband Internet connection is required to use this type of backup solution.

Local Device Backup

One of the most common methods of backing up a home or small business computer is a local device backup. Most hone desktop and small-business server operating systems provide integrated backup software that allows data to be backed up and recovered from a local device such as a CD/DVD drive or tape backup unit. Backups can also be stored in large archive files on locally attached high-capacity storage devices such as USB hard drives (although this is not an optimal backup solution).

Local backup strategies offer a lower cost and simpler approach to data protection and recovery, but require a willingness and dedication on the part of the user to ensure that backups are taking place on a routine basis. Local backup solutions also require more manual operation and a plan for storing and protecting the backup media (CDs, DVDs, tapes, etc.) once backups are complete.

Network-Attached Storage (NAS)

Network-Attached Storage is a newer backup solution that was originally intended for a different role. With NAS, a small storage device is attached to the home or small business network and acts as a file storage server. Users can read and write data to these devices just as they can local storage devices on their computer. A major benefit of NAS is that a group of users can share not only the storage capacity for backup purposes but can have access to the files collectively as a means of sharing information.

Smaller NAS units appropriate for the home user can be purchased for $90 - 150. Larger capacity and more feature-rich units well suited for a small business backup solution can cost anywhere from $350-$1500. These units can be accessed both from a wired and a wireless network, making this an appealing solution.

When considering a NAS backup solution, however, it is important to remember that the data stored on the NAS device is equally as vulnerable to a hardware failure as it is when stored on your home or business PC. The NAS solution provides a mechanism for "online" storage--where a copy of the data is stored elsewhere but available for access in real time. An offline backup of the data using CD, DVD, or tape solution would still be required to ensure the data is adequately protected.

These data backup and recovery solutions are just a few of the methods that can be used to protect your personal and business data. While other solutions exist, the reliability and effectiveness of those solutions must be considered. Although the cost of a backup system is often viewed as the most important factor the true cost is often realized only after the data has been lost.

Mike Dailey is an Information Technology Consultant with over 16 years of experience in the design, integration, and management of complex computer network and information security solutions. He can be reached through his website and blog at http://www.daileymuse.com/.

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