This document provides an introduction to cloud storage and summarizes a presentation on the topic. It discusses the history of storage systems and how cloud storage works. Popular cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and iCloud are examined. The document outlines some risks of cloud storage like security and privacy issues. It also provides a framework for selecting cloud services and questions to consider regarding purposes, benefits, costs and risks.

1. Introduction to Cloud Storage
A presentation given by Brian Kelly to the
U3A Bath Mac User Group on 2 July 2015
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2. Contents
• History of storage systems
• The Cloud
• Popular Cloud storage services
• The risks
• A framework for selecting Cloud services
• Questions
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3. History of storage systems
• xx
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4. History of storage systems
• xx
From The history of computer data storage, in pictures,
http://royal.pingdom.com/2008/04/08/the-history-of-
computer-data-storage-in-pictures/
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5. Today
Today we normally use:
• The computer’s internal hard drive
• An external hard drive
• A USB flash drive
From USB flash drive, Wikipedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_flash_drive
From Hard disk drive, Wikipedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_disk_drive
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6. The Cloud
Previous storage systems:
• Local to PC
• Connected using local networks
Now we can:
• Make use of Internet networking technologies to access remote services (e.g.
located in US) often known as the Cloud
New business models:
• Local storage systems: you buy and own physical item
• Cloud can be used as a ‘rental’ service:
• Software as a Service (SaaS): you ‘rent’ software (e.g. Google Docs)
• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): you ‘rent’ CPU cycles, storage, etc.
• Platform as a Service (PaaS): you ‘rent’ a virtual computer 6
See Cloud computing
article in Wikipedia

7. Popular Cloud Storage Services
Examples of Cloud storage services I use:
• Google Drive
• Apple iCloud
• Dropbox
• Box
• Microsoft Onedrive (was Livedrive)
• BT Cloud
• (Mega)
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Also:
• Google Photos
• Amazon Music
• Flickr
• …

8. Google Drive
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Google Drive
• Main storage service used
• Typically used for sharing
Google Docs
• Apps available on mobile
devices and desktop computers
From PC Pro, July 2015:
• 15 GB free
• Rich functionality

9. Dropbox
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Dropbox
• Also used regularly
• Typically used for auto-
uploading photos from phone
• Apps available on mobile
devices and desktop computers
From PC Pro, July 2015:
• 2 GB free
• Rich functionality

10. iCloud
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iCloud
• Little used
• Integrated with Apple
• Used for backups from Mac
From PC Pro, July 2015:
• 5 GB free

11. Box
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Box
• Evaluated in 2011
• Preferred Dropbox
From PC Pro, July 2015:
• 10 GB free

12. BT Cloud
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BT Cloud
• Free with my BT broadband
account
• Don’t use

13. Mega
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Mega
• Registered account but not
used
• 50 Gb free
• See https://mega.nz/

14. Beyond General Storage Services: Amazon Music
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Amazon Music:
• Upload your music
• Access your music when
away from home
• Available free to Amazon
Prime users
Also see Google Play
music

15. Beyond General Storage Services: Google Photos
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Google Photos:
• Upload your photos
• New service announced
on 8 May 2015
• Apps available on
mobile devices and
desktop computers

16. Use Cases
Possible uses for Cloud storage services:
• To host the master copy of digital resources
• To provide backup copies
• To maximise access to resources
• To facilitate sharing
• To facilitate access to content across devices
• To store files used by Cloud applications
• …
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17. Issues
Main issues:
• Security and robustness
• Privacy/ethical issues
• Selection of service(s): evaluation; complexity; use cases; …
• Anything else?
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18. Issues (1)
Are the services secure and robust?
• Will my data be stored safely?
• Will others be able to access my files without permission?
• Will the service be sustainable in the medium/long term
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19. Issues (2)
Ownership, privacy and ethical concerns:
• Will my privacy be respected?
• Will I give ownership of my content away?
• Is the service operate in an ethical fashion? Does it pay taxes, …?
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20. My Thoughts (1)
• Should you trust your digital content to a third-party service?
• Would you trust your savings to a third-party service or do you keep your
savings under the mattress?!
• Companies such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, etc. will
(legitimately) seek to make money by providing useful services to users
• They may choose to withdraw (‘sunset’) services which aren’t felt to be
strategically aligned
• Therefore need to (a) be able to migrate content / have alternative backups
and (b) monitor possible changes to services (including enhancements to
services!)
• The antisocial media line “If you don’t pay your the product, not the user”
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21. My Thoughts (2)
What do you think of the argument summarised as:
“if you're not paying for something, you're not the customer; you're the product
being sold”
My view:
• I don’t pay to watch ITV. ITV exists to sell adverts; the content is simply a
means of attracting eyeballs to the adverts
• Other business models for funding for commercial services is nothing new.
• I am willing for my “attention data” (my age, location, etc. to be analysed in
order that personalised adverts can be delivered) to be used rather than
paying for services
• I am not alone!
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22. My Thoughts (3)
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Do Cloud services own your content?
• Complex e.g. Facebook T&Cs:
“You own all of the content and
information you post on Facebook, and
you can control how it is shared through
your privacy and application settings”
• Services need rights to transform your
content e.g. compress and backup!
• Services need sustainable business
models
My thoughts:
I am willing to use services which can commercially exploit my attention data and content if I feel I gain
benefits in free use of the service (not I am not a commercial photographer) .

23. Framework for Selecting Cloud Storage Services
Document (or discuss with friends)
• Purpose: what you intend to use the service for
• The benefits the proposed service will provide
• Possible risks
• The risks (missed opportunities) or not using the service
• The costs of using the service
• Ways of minimising the risks
• The evidence that the risks are legitimate, significant, …
Be aware of biases and subjective factors:
• “I’ll not use Google: they own you’re content / don’t pay taxes / …
• “I’ll not use Apple products: they lock you in / exploit workers in China / …“
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See http://ukwebfocus.com/2015/07/02/cloud-storage/

24. Conclusions
To conclude
• Cloud storage is the future
• There are risks; but choosing a bank will have risks too
• Using USB Flash drives, external disk drives, NAS drives have risks
• Choosing the best service for my use is the main challenge
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