Cloud Computing: IT's Day in the Sun?

by San Murugesan

Cloud computing -- the emerging computational model in which applications, data, and computing resources are provided as a service through the Internet (i.e., "the cloud") -- is a hot topic right now. It promises to offer utility-like availability of huge computing resources at low cost and with greater flexibility and scalability. Many analysts, noting users' comfort with accessing applications on the Web and their acute discomfort with the expense of maintaining their own IT infrastructures, have come to believe that advances in virtualization and other technologies will push cloud computing to mainstream adoption. The Economist opines that cloud computing "will undoubtedly transform the information technology (IT) industry, but it will also profoundly change the way people work and companies operate."

As cloud computing begins to move from the fringe to the mainstream, there is considerable excitement and hype surrounding the movement. A key question is, "What real value does cloud computing present to users and businesses?" And, furthermore, are we taking risks by computing in the cloud? Many IT professionals and business executives are understandably confused about cloud computing and its strengths, weaknesses, benefits, and risks.

We hope to thoroughly demystify the phenomenon by exploring this new style of computing at length in a June/July double issue of Cutter IT Journal. In our special double issue, you'll learn what to look for in a cloud service-level agreement -- and what might be missing. You'll hear why, contrary to popular belief, cloud computing's security benefits outweigh its security risks. And you'll discover how advances in cloud computing architectures could ultimately enable enterprises "to outsource their entire IT infrastructure transparently, turning it into a controllable line item expense instead of a major capital investment." If that sounds good to you, join us and get your head into the cloud.