Learn the basics of cloud computing today. Understand the benefits the cloud can provide your business and what it means for your data.

1. Understanding the Cloud
October 11, 2012

2. About Me
I am the initial architect for our online “cloud” clinical data collection solutions which we have
been delivering since the late 1990s.
Personally, I am a proponent and user of online “cloud” applications.
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3. Goals Today
1. Define “the cloud” in simple terms
2. Provide some “cloud” benefit and risk evaluation
checklists
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4. Understanding the Cloud
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5. A majority thought that cloud computing referred to a “fluffy white thing”
51% believed storms could interfere with it
August 2012 Survey by Citrix
http://www.citrix.com/lang/English/lp/lp_2328330.asp
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6. http://www.citrix.com/lang/English/lp/lp_2328330.asp
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7. So, what is the cloud?
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8. We will cover a formal definition from the
but first…
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9. “The Cloud” in Simple Terms
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10. “The Cloud” in Simple Terms
1. You access it through the Internet
2. You don't own it (generally)
3. You don't have to do much to scale up to a bigger
footprint (except pay for what you are using)
Adapted from:
http://it.toolbox.com/blogs/original-thinking/what-is-cloud-computing-a-simple-definition-30648
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11. Examples
Photos
Productivity
Industry
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12. Technical Nuts and Bolts
(for the record)
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13. The National Institute of Standards and Technology
defines Cloud Computing with three main categories
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14. 1
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15. 2
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16. Service model options are
the most commonly discussed Cloud Category
Let’s take a closer look at those options…
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17. Software Software (as a Service) indicates special-purpose software made
(SaaS) available through the Internet.
Platform indicates a higher-level environment for which developers
Platform write custom applications. Generally the developer is accepting
(PaaS) some restrictions on the type of software they can write in
exchange for built-in application scalability.
Infrastructure includes provisioning of hardware or virtual
Infrastructure
computers on which one generally has control over the OS;
(IaaS)
therefore allowing the execution of arbitrary software.
Adapted from
http://rwandering.net/2008/07/03/cloud-services-continuum/
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18. Common Users for Cloud Service Models
http://www.saasblogs.com/saas/demystifying-the-cloud-where-do-saas-paas-and-other-acronyms-fit-in/
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19. The lower you go down in the stack the more security you are
tactically responsible for implementing and managing.
For Example:
Operating system
Network security
Data encryption
System installation
http://www.saasblogs.com/saas/demystifying-the-cloud-where-do-saas-paas-and-other-acronyms-fit-in/
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20. 3
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21. Open to the general public
Exclusively accessed by a single organization
Combination of two or more service models
Selectively accessible for users with a shared purpose
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22. What is the benefit of all this?
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23. http://www.citrix.com/lang/English/lp/lp_2328330.asp
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24. ► Save money
• Lower IT costs
• Economies of scale
• Pay as you go
► Save time
• Eliminate install tasks associated with licensed software
► Focus on competitive advantage rather than
• Purchasing and supporting the server infrastructure
• Managing the security, reliability, and scalability
• Maintaining a labor-intensive patch and upgrade process
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25. Should I be concerned about the safety of my data?
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26. Always.
Data security is a concern whether you subscribe to SaaS
or purchase software and implement it on in-house servers.
Here are some things to consider…
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27. Is the solution Secure?
Is it easily Accessible?
Does it support a Global marketplace?
Is it Sustainable?
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28. Some questions to ask!
► Secure
• Is the application 21 CFR Part 11 compliant?
• Do you have Safe Harbor certification?
• What encryption is used for data transfers?
• Is the data center SOC 2 Type II certified?
► Accessible
• Which browsers are supported?
• Is it accessible on mobile and tablet browsers?
• Does the application require routine maintenance downtime? How often? How
long?
► Global
• Does the application support the display and storage of multiple languages and
typesets (Chinese, Japanese, etc.)?
• Can you report on multiple studies with the same application?
► Sustainable
• What is the cost model?
• What is the training time for standard end users?
• How are upgrades supported?
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29. Can you audit the vendor facilities?
How are the data backed up?
What is the recovery process?
Is your production equipment housed in a state-of-the-art colocation facility?
What are the security arrangements for the facility?
Extended
Are they in place 24 hours a day, 365 days a year?
On what type of infrastructure do you host data?
SaaS Data Checklist
How often do you back up data and where are the backups stored?
Where and how do you store the backups?
What level of data encryption do you use to protect website transactions?
Can I export my data in a format that I can easily re-use?
Adapted from:
http://www.trumba.com/connect/knowledgecenter/software_as_a_service.aspx#secure_data
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30. In Summary
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31. Simply Put You Have Options
“In The Cloud” Cloud Service Models
• You access it through the Internet • SaaS, PaaS, IaaS
• You don't own it (generally) • Most organizations leverage SaaS
• You don't have to do much to • Remember the lower you go, the
scale more you are responsible to
manage
And finally…
When deploying a solution either in-house or as SaaS, make sure it is:
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32. ®
from Concept to Cure
™
with D ATATRAK ONE
DATAT R A K International
Cleveland, Ohio
Bryan, Texas
Cary, North Carolina
888.677.DATA (3282) Toll Free
www.datatrak.net