Learning Objectives
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
- Explain the scientific breakthroughs that made cloud computing possible
- Identify the social implications of cloud computing and its impact on data privacy
- Understand cloud-based sustainability
Cloud computing has made many advances since its inception. These advancements have been associated with the introduction of new technology, SDNs, and the growth of the internet. Each advancement has led to new opportunities in the cloud market space, which in turn has led to new offerings for cloud consumers and moving cloud-based computing into the mainstream of business today. Consider a scenario of vacation planning. In the past, people had to use travel agents to plan trips, but now there are many travel applications that allow a person to plan their own vacation.
With the move to the cloud, data privacy has become a relevant and timely topic. Another concern is the ethical use of data that reside in cloud environments. Further, consider the social impact of the amount of data stored in the cloud, which is accessible at any time of day by any device.
The sustainability of any market space is a question all organizations need to consider. In the market space of remote access, cloud-based computing is accessible to most people. It is available from any device without the addition of an application, software, or tool. This is a benefit that adds to the sustainability of the cloud.
Scientific Breakthroughs That Made Cloud Computing Possible
One of the most important breakthroughs in cloud computing was SDNs, which have changed the way network engineers manage traffic by offering scalability, which led to optimization of traffic performance through the infrastructure layer’s ability to manage network resources, and the flexibility to design networking in a new manner using the functionality of the control layer. In the cloud computing environment, SDNs provide better management of network traffic, improve resource management, and give cloud providers tools to enhance their security profile. What makes the SDN platform so unique is that it is built on open-source software, free software that is available for use and modification without licensing, known as OpenFlow and OpenDaylight. There are also SDN platforms using Python-based language for programming.
Research continues today into possible alternatives to the current open-source software used. There may be alternatives because SDN architecture works with virtualization and bare metal platforms that are independent of the network equipment manufacturer. This independence offers more capabilities, flexibility, and security by not requiring a specific vendor for network equipment, which in turn allows for a layered approach to building out the cloud provider’s network infrastructure. SDN architecture communicates across the three layers: application, control, and infrastructure (refer to Figure 7.11). The communication is facilitated by the API.
Careers in IS
Software-Defined Network Cloud Architect
The state of network engineering has changed with the introduction of SDN. A position as an SDN Cloud Architect requires an undergraduate degree and may also require certifications in programming languages, cloud architecture, and virtualization. Changes in the network architecture require that the IT professional performing the duties is qualified and certified. These positions work with both physical and virtual environments, so the IT professional will need knowledge in physical equipment plus an understanding of virtualization software and systems.
Social Implications of Cloud Computing and Its Impact on Data Privacy
The social implications related to data privacy and security also connect to the ethical guidelines of an organization and the personal code of conduct of staff that access the data. In addition, it is important to consider the legal implications, jurisdiction issues, and operational requirements, plus national laws, state laws, and international standards, such as GDPR, System and Organization Controls, and California Consumer Privacy Act, that might control certain types of cloud service operations. Cloud computing systems use data marts, data warehouses, data lakes, and big data. A data mart is a data storage location that is a subset of a data warehouse. A data warehouse is a data storage location that accumulates data from multiple sources. A data lake is a repository used to store structured and unstructured data that are not size dependent. Big data is a large data set that is used for analysis. The storage of data by the cloud provider and the use of data by the cloud consumer must follow regulations and laws written for the protection and ethical use of the data. These regulations and laws are often specific to the industry, such as medical, financial, and educational areas.
Social implications that impact individuals in society involve use of the stored data. An organization’s analysis of the data for decision-making can have positive or negative effects on society. Opening a manufacturing plant in an area that has a labor force can be considered a positive effect, whereas its impact on the natural resources of the area might be a negative effect. This is where the organization has to determine the impact their actions will have on society in that specific region.
The type of information that is to be produced from the data will dictate the type or tools that will be used to extract it. The data from the different storage platforms can be used to discover trends, make predictions for future growth in a product, and perform analytics to determine if the organization is growing as planned. The manner in which the data is to be interpreted also influences the type of tool used to extract it. There are tools that provide numerical information, visualization of the information, and general reporting. All of these factors are taken into consideration when selecting the right tool for the decision-making process.
Ethics in IS
Data Storage
The storage of data raises ethical concerns for organizations. Data privacy is always in the forefront when dealing with stored data because of the possibility of data breaches. The data that an organization stores are a target for potential hackers. It is required that organizations implement strong encryption practices, such as using algorithms like AES-256 and implementing end-to-end encryption for sensitive data, and access controls, such as employing multi factor authentication for log-ons and conducting regular security audits to identify vulnerabilities and ensure proper implementation of controls.
Information technology professionals must have a code of ethics when dealing with large amounts of data. This code of ethics is needed not only to protect the privacy of the data but to protect the integrity of the IT professional.
Cloud-Based Sustainability
In any industry, an organization must determine how to achieve sustainability in their products, services, and offerings. This issue is familiar to those who developed cloud computing. One factor that has led to the sustainability of cloud-based computing is its accessibility from any device. Creating a platform that does not require the adding of an app, software, or a proprietary component is a major factor in attracting and sustaining a strong customer base. It is also important to consider the environmental impact of cloud-based solutions, such as energy consumption of data centers, and reflect on how an organization can reduce its carbon footprint, such as learning what efforts are being made to recycle resources (for example, cooling water, using generated heat, and optimizing operations). These factors can help an organization determine what cloud-based solutions to use.
Global Connections
Sustainability
Sustainability is a global commitment, whether it involves the environment or the continuation of a product line. Each cloud provider has different definitions for sustainability and different interpretations of the effects on the global market. An organization should review the cloud provider’s sustainability practices when evaluating the provider. As the cloud grows, the actions of the cloud providers improve sustainability in the form of growth and in the protection of the environment for the future. For example, Google promotes sustainability by pursuing net-zero emissions through technology and innovation, such as energy-efficient chips. Google Maps can provide traffic and emissions data that may help city planners make decisions about development and transportation systems, in turn, potentially supporting initiatives to make cities more environmentally friendly.
Another factor that can lead to sustainability is a provider’s ability to offer services that can be created with automated tools by the customer, without needing to wait on hold for customer service, thus reducing the need for customer service interaction and, in turn, reducing the cost for assistance. The minimal time it takes for a cloud consumer to bring a system online, roll it into production, and start generating revenue is a major component of satisfaction and will lead to sustainability.
Each offering, each tool, each process, and each component that cloud-based computing puts in place benefits their sustainability. The potential for growth is sustainable, the possibility of continued offering is sustainable, and the new technology that emerges has the potential for sustainability.