Cloud computing is simply computers somewhere else, dolling out software or hardware recourses over the Internet or local network. The inherent risks all still exist, but not on site. Despite this, the cloud has become quite popular with businesses and institutions as a way of storing and accessing data and information on demand.
Some of these institutions, including large US law firms, are slowly and reluctantly implementing the use of these services, but have fears that sensitive information could potentially be compromised (hacked) by exploiting their relatively weak security measures.
Using these services, such as IaaS (infrastructure-as-a-service), StaaS (storage-as-a-service), and PaaS (platform-as-a-service), can be both beneficial and potentially risky for those involved in the US justice system.
On one side of the cloud coin, major law firms can store an incredible amount of legal documentation that can be accessed at any given point for documentation management. This means that records are less likely to be lost, damaged, or misfiled over data stored locally on hard drives or physical paper filing. Cloud services also provide the end-user the ability to manage human resources more efficiently, a centrally-controlled email management system (easier for containing viruses, spam checking, etc.), and the reduction of physical hardware needed in-house, which can also reduce the costs associated with IT services.
The other side of that coin is painted in an unattractive light, and is anything but beneficial to large law firms: Security risks that can potentially compromise sensitive material such as confidential client information and court litigation information. Cloud services generally use the same security measures (firewall, IPsec Protocol, anti-virus protection, etc.) and encryption methods of a typical shared multi-user mainframe (server). The problem with implementing cloud defense tactics is that the services are still in their infancy, which means security measures are basic at best.
There are some choices that could easily be integrated into the various services, potentially increasing the cloud's overall defensive posture in detering cyber-attacks, such as those implemented by the US military, including ultra-strong secure operating systems. These are based on system kernel technology (such as the Bell-LaPadula model, which enforces access control) that reinforces key security policies in the OS that are absolutely enforced in the system, and therefore extremely difficult to gain access.
The operating systems designed using kernel-based tactics (such as Honeywell SCOMP, NSA Blacker, Boeing MLS LAN, and USAF SACDIN) are used to secure critical information along the lines of national security, classified military data, and information regarding international financial institutions.
Orange Book A-1 (taken from the DoD’s Trusted Computer Evaluation Criteria standard), is the top of the line for classified information. It’s still not completely secure, as anyone willing and able could find ways around those measures. However, adapting cloud services to use the kernel method of anti-intrusion is a very viable option for large law firms to implement. It could effectively ease the fears associated with storing sensitive legal data in a cloud environment.
Do you think the information you store in the cloud is safe? Tell us in the comments section below.
Have to handle data storage, I feel, is something a lot of people don't want to deal with themselves. Some people I know like how their iPhone just stores all their data somewhere else. They don't know why or how it works, but just happens. I think that mentality will trickle into every facet of life. Even though Linux is arguably an excellent OS, people still go with the ease of Windows and OSX. The same will go for digital storage. Then cloud based graphics processing, see the Nvidia Grid. Then OS and everything else.
We will all just have terminals, I suspect. Easier way to control IP too.
I had to post in order to mention the announcement of Microsoft's cloud computing with the release of Office 365. If it catches on maybe Netflix will no longer be the biggest contributer to Internet traffic.
How does the cost compare to that of owning your own disks?
I would never "feel safe" putting critical data in some else's hands, and I am sure fly-by-night cloud storage companies will appear, if they haven't already!
Encryption sounds good, but will everyone have the knowledge and presence of mind to use it?
A lot of the issues raised here make me wonder what additional security features will be needed to allow cloud computing to reach its potential as a technology.
I recently bought 100GB from "Dropbox." The ease of accessing files is fantastic. I feel safe, since the data is not only stored in the cloud, but also synced across several computers. There is around 7 instances of the data right now.
Only down side, if any of those terminals make changes, it happens everywhere. That would include deletion.
As for security, I encrypted the entire archive with a 64 character string. That should be good enough, yes?
Are data stored on a "cloud drive" safe? No, it could be lost, and it could be viewed by unauthorized parties. If you are not concerned about either, then the use of cloud storage is an option.
I would never put personal information on the cloud; i.e. financial documents, contracts, personal legal documents, etc due to issues with security. One company I consult for has been "hacked" twice with a significant number of documents corrupted, stolen, etc. This company has the range of protection warranted and necessary when running a company. I, like most others commenting, feel cloud computing is possibly the wave of the future but now in it's infancy--possibly getting better, but not really there to the point of being completely safe.
When a service provider asserts that the medium provided is indeed secure and the data storred will be neither lost nor copied, the ability to provide the services paid for winds up being a rather legal question. At least that is my perception.
Storing files and programs on an accessable server is certainly another way to make the information and resources available for collaborators, so there is at least one alternative. I have used FTP (file transfer protocol) sites as another method of sharing files with those in other parts of the world. That also works, although there could be some security concerns. Those files were secured by both passwords and being stored alongside hundreds of other files that looked quite similar, but which held no value. That was a very cheap trick to confusw any spying individuals.
Sure I know it's a vendor sponsored thing. Nevertheless it might be interesting to konw tha colloboration process will neven be effective without the Cloud. So the main topic is still of my interest, what are the legal questions and how to deal with that. We have a clear vision on that and a solution which effectively support "interactively design in your own safe Cloud".
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What company CEO or other dedicated member would ever say that their product was the very best and absolutely exactly what you need. That includes the assertion that it's security methods are by far better than anything anone else has ever thought of. REally, who, in the upper management would ever admit to any fault of their product? They would be on the street the vaery next day.
The 3D printing revolution seems to have a knack for quickly moving technology ahead by way of collaborative effort and even a little friendly competition -- all of course in the name of scientific advancement.
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