Recently,
I participated in a BBC
Broadcast about cloud computing and the risks associated. Steve Evans along
with BBC's technology correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones led the discussion to
help define what exactly cloud computing means and how it can be a cost
effective alternative for many businesses.
During the discussion, Stephen Evans raised a very important question around the security of cloud computing, "What do you make of the criticism that with the cloud, you hand your details to big companies far away?"
The cloud computing business model is similar to that of a bank where customers entrust their money and personal data to the institution to hold and manage, yet their money and info can be accessed and used through any ATM using a plastic card and PIN (personal identification number). The same model holds true with cloud computing--while your data may be held by an organization it can be accessed anywhere via easy-to-use devices, aka zero clients. Agreeing with Dr. Jonathan Zittrain, who is also interviewed, the cloud offers a simple, secure and cost-effective approach to computing for businesses and consumers alike.
The question that needs to be answered, however, is what's in the client? Dr. Zittrain in his NY Times article "Lost in the Cloud" raises a concern about a browser as the universal client for cloud access. I agree. If the cloud is reduced to a bunch of Web sites controlled by GooYahSoftFaceSpace, we've all lost. If instead we all have our own personal computers, including the browser running in the cloud under our full ownership and control, then we win big time.
Listen in to the entire broadcast here:
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