Tuesday 8 May 2012

Issues in regards of Cloud Computing : Data Protection

The earliest post has already explain what cloud computing is all about. Briefly on the definition itself and the essentials characteristic of cloud computing, among other things.

The very term, ‘cloud computing’ derives from the cloud symbol, usually to represent the internet and the complex infrastructure behind it. Now as one knows, such infrastructure, or more fittingly, such service is bound to have many issues in question.

One of it, dare I say, which is among the important issues, would be data protection.
Obviously, data protection issue relates to the distributed nature of the data within the cloud computer service. Keep in mind, that the ‘cloud’ can be external, public cloud such as Facebook or Hotmail, or an internal, private cloud within one organisation.

Before we continue, it need to be noted that privacy and security issue around cloud computing can be addressed as an awareness and education issue.

So, when hen we talk about data protection in cloud computing, we need to understand that there are no borders within the cloud. The very concept of cloud computing is globalised and that makes it difficult for us to search for the borders. The cloud service providers can be located anywhere on the globe, save for some providers such as Amazon. Amazon offers their customers the option of choosing between certain availability zones. By choosing the option, the data will remain only at the selected zones.

Cloud computing raises a few interesting issues in regards to data protection. Amongst them includes the fact that most of data protection law is based on the premise that it is always clear where the data is located, who is responsible for the data processing as well as by whom the data is processed. However, this is not the case with cloud computing as the service is in conflict with the said premise.

The easiest example in this matter is that a person uses an e-mail service based on cloud computing, then his or her data can be stored anywhere in the world. Hence, with cloud computing, it is almost not possible to say where the data is at a certain moment and by whom and how it is being processed. This situation will cause doubt whether tjose responsible for data processing are in a position to effectively assume their responsibility at all, in line with each country’s data-protection regulations.

Similarly, if the data circulates freely around the globe, then we can no longer be clear of which data protection authorities at which location, are responsible for ensuring the accordance of the principles of data protection. 

(To be continued)

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