Cloud Computing Enters Phase 2 – Centralization to Decentralization

Cloud computing is all about centralization i.e. the ability to push servers and workloads that run on expensive on-premise facilities to more affordable systems on clouds. This in turn allows businesses to share resources with other tenants to increase the overall efficiency by reducing costs. Centralization facilitates a single location for data that may have once existed in many enterprise silos. Moreover, it allows users to manage processes and systems centrally with a single set of tools.

Despite all the positives of centralization, the cloud is likely to shift to a distributed approach (decentralization) over the next decade. Centralization can be termed as the Phase 1 of the Cloud Computing era while decentralization is the Phase 2. It focuses on moving the data processing back to the consumers of those processes and data. So, the Phase 2 has recreated the notion of client/server computing, with the cloud being the server and workloads excluding their applications or data moving back to the clients.

This shift is not necessarily a complete change, as the workload will move closer to those who use them, while remaining centrally managed and controlled. In spite of being executed across a widely distributed architecture, they will remain logically centralized whether or not their processing and bits are physically distributed.

The cloud platform automates the distribution of workloads on private cloud instances, which are paired closely with the centralized public clouds. While it may seem like the workloads are residing in the public cloud, they are actually deployed in a hybrid-like distributed architecture. Cloud computing technology enforces flexibility to such a surprising extent. Ironically, once we move to a centralized cloud-based architecture, all possibilities are open including putting the workloads back on-premises, minus the silos.

The Net Activity, Inc. team can help you with your migration to the cloud. We are uniquely positioned as leaders in the cloud infrastructure services network and provide cloud computing solutions which let you have a competitive edge over other businesses. Please visit http://www.netactivity.us/contact.html for more details. You can also call Harry Bhatia at 2165035150 X 206 to discuss further.

Source: http://www.netactivity.us/blog/cloud-computing-enters-phase-2-centralization-to-decentralization/

Don’t Overlook This - Tips to Secure Your Cloud Data

Cloud-based security is here to stay. Be it Google Drive and Dropbox are some of the most comfortable and convenient data repositories for saving your data online, allowing you easy access at any place or time where internet is available. Although the convenience seems tempting, one must look into the security concerns while moving personal and confidential data over the cloud platform.

Rule No. 1: Backup Data Locally
It is a good practice to create electronic copies of your data so that you will be able to access it wherever you are without losing the original data. It also helps in case you lose the original data or it is corrupted. It is as simple as setting up an account in the cloud and remembering the credentials.
Another option is to have a manual backup of your precious data in an external storage device, which helps you when there is no or slow internet accessibility.

Rule No. 2: Avoid Storing Sensitive Information
As everyone is aware of the discrepancies of the internet privacy and the vulnerability internet security is exposed to, it is wise to avoid your highly confidential moving up to the cloud. Mainly, it is advisable to avoid putting up documents containing passwords for any of your accounts. This way you can stay confident about keeping the files that you need to access frequently.

Rule No. 3: Use Cloud Services that Encrypt Your Data
Look for cloud service providers that safeguard your privacy by offering local encryption for your data, which provides an additional layer of security. This method will also protect your data against the service providers and administrators. It would be even better if the cloud service also guarantees encryption during the uploading and downloading phases. The additional step of encrypting and decrypting your data may take a little while longer to sync and access your files, but it is worth it.

Rule No. 4: Encrypt Data Before Moving it to the Cloud
Encrypting data here means you would be able to apply passwords and generate secret key sequences to your files before you upload them to the cloud server. If your provider does not use data encryption, you can prefer to use a cloud protection app, which will solve your purpose.

Rule No. 5: Apply Two-Step Verification
As the first line of protection, you can maintain a strong password (as suggested by the internet) for all your online accounts. Also, instead of relying on a strong password created by you years ago, try to change them frequently and not repeat it across the many online accounts on your name.

Your data is really precious and you cannot afford to allow it to be leaked. While moving to the cloud, it is necessary to follow the above tips so that your data remains safe. You also need to hire the services of a cloud service provider who has a relevant experience and good customer reviews. Net Activity, Inc. can be of great help as they have been in this business since 2002. They are a team of professionals who are proficient, trained, experienced and friendly. If you wish to know more about the services offered, contact Harry Bhatia at 2165035150 X 206 or visit

Source: http://www.netactivity.us/blog/dont-overlook-this-tips-to-secure-your-cloud-data/