'Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining, or Does It?'

Abstract

Advertisements scream promises of unlimited resources and limited cost; a veritable pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Providers tout a perfect cloud solution that can handle any problem of size and cost and eliminate the need to ever purchase a server again. Cloud computing can allow the buyer access to their information anywhere, anytime, on any device with the click of a button. All of this for a very low - very predictable - monthly fee that is a fraction of Information Technology (IT) costs. These clouds, however, may not be lined with silver, but rather, could prove truly hazardous for those who accept the environment without truly understanding what it is. Cloud computing has become a phenomenon in the IT arena over the past few years as corporate users try to navigate the traditional model of in-house resources and the capitol costs of maintaining infrastructure, hardware and support staff. In its basic concept, cloud computing sounds enticing; let a technology expert handle the day-to-day maintenance of server output and storage while the user just reaps the benefits of that service, essentially outsourcing the IT function.

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