Data in the Cloud: AT&T Offers Synaptic Storage

When we discussed cloud computing in class, one major concern discussed was security. Can you really keep your data secure if it’s not on machines in your building, under your immediate control? Can cloud storage satisfying the security audits some firms must pass under Sarbanes-Oxley and other regulations?

Enough businesses are voting affirmative on those questions to motivate AT&T to offer Synaptic Storage, an expansion of its cloud computing efforts. Lance Whitney at CNet News says business users will be able to save and access data from laptops, smartphones, and other Web-enabled devices. Instead of setting up and maintaining your own in-house server, you just pay a monthly fee, and AT&T handles all the hard tech stuff.

Now think about that cost-benefit analysis. You don’t have to shop around for servers. You don’t have to think about running more power and data lines. You don’t have to plan ahead for upgrading the equipment. You might not even have to hire extra IT personnel to manage the system.

Hmm… will cloud computing bring cloud IT departments — i.e., IT people working for AT&T, Google, et al. just like utilities, and small companies not having separate IT departments of their own?

Class Discussion: Cloud Computing

Here are a couple articles on cloud computing (the first references the second):

1. John Foley, “The Oregon Trail of Cloud Computing,” InformationWeek, 2009.01.29
2. Mike Fratto, “Cloud Control,” Internet Evolution, 2009.01.24

Questions to consider (we’ll discuss them in class Thursday and here online now!):

1. Where is your data? Yes, your data, right now, school, work, whatever: where could a meteor strike to kill your data?
2. How secure is your data?
3. What are you afraid of? Hackers? Accidents? Al-Qaeda? China? Fire? Meteors?
4. What’s the difference between trusting a traditional outsourcing partner and trusting cloud computing?
5. Where’s the cut-off point for data you could trust to cloud computing?