Cloud Computing: Fact vs Fog
Cloud Computing: Fact versus Fog
December 2010
Table of Contents Executive Summary Foundations of Cloud Computing Obstacles and Considerations Future of Cloud
December 2010
| Copyright © 2010 Grail Research, LLC
2
Executive Summary
Purpose
“Cloud” Buzz
This presentation addresses the current state of cloud computing, obstacles to business adoption, and expectations for the future. This is the first in a series of papers written by Grail Research on the topic of cloud computing and the investigation of how businesses are adapting to and taking advantage of Internet-based, on-demand computing
News of Cloud is everywhere, and its predominance in IT is a foregone conclusion. In fact, the push to adopt Cloud has been so strong that risks inherent in this model have largely been ignored The recent economic turmoil and the promise of Cloud leading a renaissance of the tech sector are shaping the perspective and appetite for Cloud rather than the readiness of the technology itself. Cloud is a powerful tool for mobilizing data; however, there are no regulations, standards, or assurances of data protection from a technical perspective Major breaches at Google, Salesforce.com, and Amazon, have exposed the fragility of the Cloud delivery model, and the fundamental issues of data security, privacy, and standards that have yet to be addressed. Though price points gained in Cloud can be significant, businesses should weigh advantages against the hidden costs of compromised data Analyst sentiment seems to be the sole voice of reason. Principal analysts from Forrester, Gartner, and Yankee cite major security concerns with Cloud. Hackers have also highlighted the vulnerabilities of Cloud and issued a manifesto of mayhem against it (Black Hat 2009 – Clobbering the Cloud by SensePost) Assessing your organization’s readiness for Cloud should include the evaluation of hybrid models, hybrid architectures, integration constraints, and innovative data protection
December 2010
Table of Contents Executive Summary Foundations of Cloud Computing Obstacles and Considerations Future of Cloud
December 2010
| Copyright © 2010 Grail Research, LLC
2
Executive Summary
Purpose
“Cloud” Buzz
This presentation addresses the current state of cloud computing, obstacles to business adoption, and expectations for the future. This is the first in a series of papers written by Grail Research on the topic of cloud computing and the investigation of how businesses are adapting to and taking advantage of Internet-based, on-demand computing
News of Cloud is everywhere, and its predominance in IT is a foregone conclusion. In fact, the push to adopt Cloud has been so strong that risks inherent in this model have largely been ignored The recent economic turmoil and the promise of Cloud leading a renaissance of the tech sector are shaping the perspective and appetite for Cloud rather than the readiness of the technology itself. Cloud is a powerful tool for mobilizing data; however, there are no regulations, standards, or assurances of data protection from a technical perspective Major breaches at Google, Salesforce.com, and Amazon, have exposed the fragility of the Cloud delivery model, and the fundamental issues of data security, privacy, and standards that have yet to be addressed. Though price points gained in Cloud can be significant, businesses should weigh advantages against the hidden costs of compromised data Analyst sentiment seems to be the sole voice of reason. Principal analysts from Forrester, Gartner, and Yankee cite major security concerns with Cloud. Hackers have also highlighted the vulnerabilities of Cloud and issued a manifesto of mayhem against it (Black Hat 2009 – Clobbering the Cloud by SensePost) Assessing your organization’s readiness for Cloud should include the evaluation of hybrid models, hybrid architectures, integration constraints, and innovative data protection