Cloud computing provides on-demand access to shared computing resources like servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics and more that can be rapidly provisioned with minimal management effort. It is becoming a trend and part of the computing landscape, moving from an immature technology to mainstream use. For governments, cloud computing provides opportunities to focus on core functions rather than infrastructure maintenance, with potential cost savings from rapid elasticity and pay-per-use models. However, security, data sovereignty and loss of control over unique systems are challenges to address with cloud adoption.
3. Undefinition
“The network is the computer”
-- John Gage, Sun Microsystems, 1982
“... computing may someday be
organized as a public utility ...”
-- John McCarthy, 1961
4. Definition
“a computing capability that provides an
abstraction between the computing
resource and its underlying technical
architecture (e.g., servers, storage,
networks), enabling convenient, on-
demand network access to a shared pool
of configurable computing resources that
can be rapidly provisioned and released
with minimal management effort or
service provider interaction.” -- NIST
13. On-demand self-service
Easy to buy
• T&Cs and costs upfront
• rapid deployment
Easy to sign up and sign off
• Low (un)deployment costs
Anyone can sign up
• Proliferation - new access database
14. Broad network access
Internet / IP network for access
• Geographic agility
• Wider range of access devices
Internet / Network usage increases
• 24 x 7 access
• Network security
• Network costs will increase
15. Resource pooling
Multi-tenant: 102s, 103s, 106s
• Potentially more attackers - security
Economies of scale - buying power
• Sustainable professional expertise
• Value for money
Standardised offerings
• Drive standardisation and lower cost
• Less uniqueness
• Who‟s standards?
16. Rapid elasticity
Provider manages capacity
• Focus on adding value to business
Acquire and use what you need
• No underutilised resources
17. Measured service
Pay for what you use
• No capital expenditure
• No money sitting around
• Low cost of entry
Cost visibility
• Clear link between use and costs
19. Why the fuss?
We outsource all sorts of things, e.g.:
• Mainframe: timeshare bureaus
• Payroll bureaus
• Watering plants
• Office cleaning
• Helpdesks
Large body of knowledge on how to
make outsourcing work
20. Fuss:
Biggest providers multi-nationals
• Compatible records and archiving
practises
• Records and data in the „cloud‟
Data is likely to be overseas
• Outside NZ jurisdiction
• Data persistence