The Pros and Cons of Cloud Computing: A Comprehensive Analysis

Posted: May 5th, 2020

Cloud computing will continue to grow as the environment of choice for organizations of any size. Cloud computing is the practice of renting computer resources from a provider instead of owning the resources.

Discuss two positive and two negative aspects associated with cloud computing. Also provide an example of two security concerns with cloud computing and how you would mitigate those threats.

Provide information from your readings to support your statements.

Your well-written paper should meet the following requirements:

Four to 10 pages in length, not including the title and reference pages.
Include two external references in addition to the textbook. The Saudi Digital Library is a good source for these references.
Your paper must follow Saudi Electronic University academic writing standards and APA style guidelines, citing references as appropriate.
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The Pros and Cons of Cloud Computing: A Comprehensive Analysis

Introduction:
Cloud computing has emerged as a popular choice for organizations of all sizes, offering a range of benefits and opportunities for increased efficiency and scalability. This paper aims to examine both the positive and negative aspects associated with cloud computing. Furthermore, it will address security concerns often associated with cloud computing and propose mitigation strategies. To support the analysis, this paper draws upon reputable sources and includes two external references, in addition to the textbook.

Positive Aspects of Cloud Computing:

Cost Efficiency:
One of the primary advantages of cloud computing is its cost efficiency. By adopting cloud services, organizations can avoid the significant upfront investment required for building and maintaining an on-premises IT infrastructure. The cloud’s pay-as-you-go model allows businesses to scale resources up or down as needed, thereby eliminating unnecessary expenses. According to a study by Deloitte, organizations that migrate to the cloud can achieve cost savings of up to 50% compared to traditional infrastructure setups (Deloitte, 2021). This cost optimization enables businesses to allocate resources more effectively and focus on their core competencies.

Scalability and Flexibility:
Cloud computing offers unparalleled scalability and flexibility, allowing organizations Scalability and Flexibility:
Cloud computing offers unparalleled scalability and flexibility, allowing organizations to rapidly respond to changing business needs. With the cloud’s ability to provide on-demand resources, organizations can easily scale their computing power, storage, and network capacity to meet fluctuations in demand. This agility enables businesses to adapt to peak usage periods or sudden increases in workload without disruptions. A prime example of this flexibility is Netflix, which uses Amazon Web Services (AWS) to seamlessly handle massive spikes in streaming demand during popular events like new series releases or major sporting events.

Negative Aspects of Cloud Computing:

Dependence on Internet Connectivity:
Cloud computing heavily relies on a stable and reliable internet connection. If an organization’s internet service experiences an outage or slowdown, it can adversely impact their ability to access critical applications and data stored in the cloud. Additionally, latency issues may arise when transferring large amounts of data between the organization’s infrastructure and the cloud provider’s servers. While internet connectivity has significantly improved over the years, occasional disruptions and latency issues remain a concern for organizations with mission-critical operations.

Data Security and Privacy Risks:
Storing sensitive data in the cloud raises security and privacy concerns. Organizations must trust cloud providers to implement robust security measures to protect their data against unauthorized access, data breaches, and other cyber threats. However, breaches do occur, and high-profile incidents have raised doubts about the security of cloud environments. Moreover, when data resides in the cloud, organizations relinquish some control over its security and rely on the provider’s expertise and adherence to security best practices. Additionally, data sovereignty becomes a concern when organizations operate across different regions with varying data protection regulations.

Security Concerns in Cloud Computing and Mitigation Strategies:

Data Breaches:
One of the most significant security concerns in cloud computing is the risk of data breaches. To mitigate this threat, organizations should employ a combination of security measures. This includes implementing strong access controls, employing encryption to protect data in transit and at rest, regularly patching and updating systems, conducting regular security audits and penetration testing, and leveraging advanced threat detection and prevention technologies. Organizations should also carefully select reputable cloud providers that prioritize security and compliance with industry standards and regulations. Insider Threats:
Insider threats pose a unique security challenge in cloud computing, as cloud environments involve shared resources and access controls. Organizations should implement strong identity and access management (IAM) policies, ensuring that only authorized individuals have appropriate access privileges. This includes implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) and regularly reviewing and revoking access permissions for employees and third-party users. Regular employee training on security best practices and data handling policies is crucial to mitigate the risk