Earlier this month, a failed update to the server managing the data for the Sidekick mobile device caused widespread data loss for owners. The reason for the loss was the very reason Sidekick was so popular in the first place: cloud computing. Sidekick stores basically everything, including contacts, messages, and photos, on the cloud. This means that if an individual loses or damages their Sidekick all of their stored information is easily retrievable from the cloud. I doubt many Sidekick buyers anticipated their information begin wiped out by the very system that was supposed to protect it.
As I have focused on cloud computing this semester, I have come across numerous articles about the danger of storing information on the cloud. I find it ironic that at the same time I am exploring the potential downfalls of cloud computing, an real disaster occurs. This article quotes the BBC as saying it is "the biggest disaster yet for the whole concept of cloud computing". With the Sidekick fiasco fresh in mind, Moebius makes 4 main suggestions about using the cloud.
#1 The Cloud is not redundant
It can fail just like anything else
#2 Know your vendor
Know how your data is backed up, who backs it up, and how long it would take to restore
#3 Keep your options open
You can store your data in several cloud computing environments
#4 The only good backup is an offsite backup
Make sure your backups are not located in the same datacenter. The more offline it is stored, the safer it is.
I think these are all great suggestions. As Moebius points out, because we cannot see the cloud, it is easy to assume that it will continue to exist and work perfectly forever. I am sure this is just the first of many cloud failures we will experience as cloud computing becomes ubiquitious in our society. I hope there will be more articles like this one that alert people to how they can help keep their data safe.
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