Security of Cloud Computing

How secure is your information when you use cloud computing, you ask? Well, today July 26th 2010 Google launched “Apps for Government” with servers on US soil. It is actually a new version of Google’s suite of cloud-based enterprise applications that have been hardened to meet the government’s more stringent security restrictions. It is expected to store sensitive government information. Google’s Matthew Glotzbach says this encompasses 80-90% of all government information.

So if you are concerned about how secure your info is when you use cloud computing programs, you may want to rethink your concerns as it seems to be the way of the future, even for the US government. 

You can read more here:
http://techcrunch.com/2010/07/26/google-launches-apps-for-government

Cloud Computing

The first time I heard the term, “cloud computing” I thought it was a game, one of the many video games that I do not have any interest in. However, I was soon to learn that it is a way of creating documents, spreadsheets, presentations and surveys without actually having the software on my computer. It allows one to access and edit these documents from a variety of computers without the use of a flash drive. It can also be sent to others without attaching it to an email. It further allows for online photo editing and collaborating with others using wikis and Google Docs. This is because all these processes are done “in the clouds,” which contains free online productivity tools.


This has far reaching implications for everyone who uses a computer, but what interests me is what this can do for schools. It allows students or MOE authorities to purchase inexpensive netbooks for use in schools. Since all the files and programs are stored in the clouds, there is no need for a large hard drive, thus small netbooks can be bought, at a lower cost. Cloud computing allows students to easily collaborate with each other and their teachers as well. Collaboration is an essential competency in education and cloud computing makes it so very enjoyable. I have been experimenting with it recently and it is not at all difficult. I am learning more every day. Since my students are better at manipulating technology than I am, cloud computing will be a breeze for them.

Following is a short article from the India Times, indicating Google's plans for the expansion and future of cloud computing. It's worth a read.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/biz/india-business/Indian-centres-to-lead-in-cloud-computing-Google/articleshow/6165383.cms