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Disaster Recovery and Backup: Cloud computing often includes robust backup and disaster recovery
options. Data is stored across multiple servers, so even in the event of hardware failure or a disaster, data
can be quickly recovered from another location, ensuring business continuity.
Collaboration: Cloud platforms often come with collaborative tools, allowing teams to work together
on projects in real-time, regardless of their physical location. This increases productivity and streamlines
workflows for businesses and organisations.
Security: Many cloud providers invest heavily in advanced security measures, such as encryption, multi-
factor authentication, and regular security audits, to protect user data. This can offer better security than
many organisations could achieve with on-premise systems.
Limitations of Cloud Computing
Some challenges associated with cloud computing include:
Dependence on Internet Connectivity: Cloud computing relies on Internet access. If users experience
slow or no Internet connectivity, they may not be able to access their data or applications, which can hinder
productivity.
Data Privacy and Security Concerns: Storing data on the cloud means relying on third-party providers to
protect it. There are concerns about data breaches, unauthorised access, or misuse of personal information.
Some businesses may be hesitant to store sensitive or confidential information on the cloud.
Ongoing Costs: While cloud services can reduce upfront costs, the pay-as-you-go model can lead to
ongoing costs that may become expensive in the long run, particularly for businesses that need to scale up
storage or resources significantly.
Downtime and Reliability Issues: Cloud services are generally reliable, but they are not immune to
outages. If a cloud provider experiences downtime, users may temporarily lose access to their data and
applications, which can impact business operations.
Vendor Lock-In: When you move your data and applications to a specific cloud provider, it can be hard to
switch to another provider later. This is because different cloud platforms often use their own unique systems
and technologies. As a result, transferring your data from one provider to another can be complicated and
costly.
Limited Bandwidth for Large Data: While cloud storage is convenient, uploading and downloading
large volumes of data can be time-consuming, especially if the Internet connection isn’t fast enough. This
limitation may be problematic for organisations that deal with large files or need fast access to their data.
Edge Computing
Edge computing refers to data analysis that happens directly on a device, in real-time. Unlike cloud
computing – which involves sending data to a remote data centre or public cloud for processing – edge
computing processes data locally, near its source.
In simple terms, edge computing means capturing, storing, processing, and analysing data close to the
user or client, instead of relying on a centralised server or data warehouse. This approach allows for faster
decision-making, improved performance, and better data security. It is best suited for real-time applications
such as IoT, autonomous vehicles, and smart devices, with examples like smart cameras and industrial IoT.
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