Cloud Computing Cloud Based Services
Cloud Based Services
Cloud Computing can be defined as the practice of using a network of remote servers hosted
on the Internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server or a personal
computer. Companies offering such kinds of cloud computing services are called cloud
providers and typically charge for cloud computing services based on usage. Grids and
clusters are the foundations for cloud computing.
Types of Cloud Computing
Most cloud computing services fall into five broad categories:
1. Software as a service (SaaS)
2. Platform as a service (PaaS)
3. Infrastructure as a service (IaaS)
4. Anything/Everything as a service (XaaS)
5. Function as a Service (FaaS)
These are sometimes called the cloud computing stack because they are built on top of one
another. Knowing what they are and how they are different, makes it easier to accomplish
your goals. These abstraction layers can also be viewed as a layered architecture where
services of a higher layer can be composed of services of the underlying layer i.e, SaaS can
provide Infrastructure.
Software as a Service(SaaS)
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is a way of delivering services and applications over the
Internet. Instead of installing and maintaining software, we simply access it via the Internet,
freeing ourselves from the complex software and hardware management. It removes the
need to install and run applications on our own computers or in the data centers eliminating
the expenses of hardware as well as software maintenance.
SaaS provides a complete software solution that you purchase on a pay-as-you-go basis from
a cloud service provider. Most SaaS applications can be run directly from a web browser
without any downloads or installations required. The SaaS applications are sometimes
called Web-based software, on-demand software, or hosted software.
Advantages of SaaS
1. Cost-Effective: Pay only for what you use.
2. Reduced time: Users can run most SaaS apps directly from their web browser
without needing to download and install any software. This reduces the time spent in
installation and configuration and can reduce the issues that can get in the way of
the software deployment.
3. Accessibility: We can Access app data from anywhere.
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4. Automatic updates: Rather than purchasing new software, customers rely on a SaaS
provider to automatically perform the updates.
5. Scalability: It allows the users to access the services and features on-demand.
The various companies providing Software as a service are Cloud9 Analytics, [Link],
Cloud Switch, Microsoft Office 365, Big Commerce, Eloqua, dropBox, and Cloud Tran.
Disadvantages of Saas :
1. Limited customization: SaaS solutions are typically not as customizable as on-
premises software, meaning that users may have to work within the constraints of
the SaaS provider’s platform and may not be able to tailor the software to their
specific needs.
2. Dependence on internet connectivity: SaaS solutions are typically cloud-based,
which means that they require a stable internet connection to function properly. This
can be problematic for users in areas with poor connectivity or for those who need to
access the software in offline environments.
3. Security concerns: SaaS providers are responsible for maintaining the security of the
data stored on their servers, but there is still a risk of data breaches or other security
incidents.
4. Limited control over data: SaaS providers may have access to a user’s data, which
can be a concern for organizations that need to maintain strict control over their data
for regulatory or other reasons.
Platform as a Service
PaaS is a category of cloud computing that provides a platform and environment to allow
developers to build applications and services over the internet. PaaS services are hosted in
the cloud and accessed by users simply via their web browser.
A PaaS provider hosts the hardware and software on its own infrastructure. As a result, PaaS
frees users from having to install in-house hardware and software to develop or run a new
application. Thus, the development and deployment of the application take
place independent of the hardware.
The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure including
network, servers, operating systems, or storage, but has control over the deployed
applications and possibly configuration settings for the application-hosting environment. To
make it simple, take the example of an annual day function, you will have two options either
to create a venue or to rent a venue but the function is the same.
Advantages of PaaS:
1. Simple and convenient for users: It provides much of the infrastructure and other IT
services, which users can access anywhere via a web browser.
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2. Cost-Effective: It charges for the services provided on a per-use basis thus eliminating
the expenses one may have for on-premises hardware and software.
3. Efficiently managing the lifecycle: It is designed to support the complete web
application lifecycle: building, testing, deploying, managing, and updating.
4. Efficiency: It allows for higher-level programming with reduced complexity thus, the
overall development of the application can be more effective.
The various companies providing Platform as a service are Amazon Web services Elastic
Beanstalk, Salesforce, Windows Azure, Google App Engine, cloud Bees and IBM smart cloud.
Disadvantages of Paas:
1. Limited control over infrastructure: PaaS providers typically manage the underlying
infrastructure and take care of maintenance and updates, but this can also mean that
users have less control over the environment and may not be able to make certain
customizations.
2. Dependence on the provider: Users are dependent on the PaaS provider for the
availability, scalability, and reliability of the platform, which can be a risk if the
provider experiences outages or other issues.
3. Limited flexibility: PaaS solutions may not be able to accommodate certain types of
workloads or applications, which can limit the value of the solution for certain
organizations.
Infrastructure as a Service
Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) is a service model that delivers computer infrastructure on
an outsourced basis to support various operations. Typically IaaS is a service where
infrastructure is provided as outsourcing to enterprises such as networking equipment,
devices, database, and web servers.
It is also known as Hardware as a Service (HaaS). IaaS customers pay on a per-user basis,
typically by the hour, week, or month. Some providers also charge customers based on the
amount of virtual machine space they use.
It simply provides the underlying operating systems, security, networking, and servers for
developing such applications, and services, and deploying development tools, databases,
etc.
Advantages of IaaS:
1. Cost-Effective: Eliminates capital expense and reduces ongoing cost and IaaS
customers pay on a per-user basis, typically by the hour, week, or month.
2. Website hosting: Running websites using IaaS can be less expensive than traditional
web hosting.
3. Security: The IaaS Cloud Provider may provide better security than your existing
software.
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4. Maintenance: There is no need to manage the underlying data center or the
introduction of new releases of the development or underlying software. This is all
handled by the IaaS Cloud Provider.
The various companies providing Infrastructure as a service are Amazon web services,
Bluestack, IBM, Openstack, Rackspace, and Vmware.
Disadvantages of laaS :
1. Limited control over infrastructure: IaaS providers typically manage the underlying
infrastructure and take care of maintenance and updates, but this can also mean that
users have less control over the environment and may not be able to make certain
customizations.
2. Security concerns: Users are responsible for securing their own data and
applications, which can be a significant undertaking.
3. Limited access: Cloud computing may not be accessible in certain regions and
countries due to legal policies.
Anything as a Service
It is also known as Everything as a Service. Most of the cloud service providers nowadays
offer anything as a service that is a compilation of all of the above services including some
additional services.
Advantages of XaaS:
1. Scalability: XaaS solutions can be easily scaled up or down to meet the changing
needs of an organization.
2. Flexibility: XaaS solutions can be used to provide a wide range of services, such as
storage, databases, networking, and software, which can be customized to meet the
specific needs of an organization.
3. Cost-effectiveness: XaaS solutions can be more cost-effective than traditional on-
premises solutions, as organizations only pay for the services.
Disadvantages of XaaS:
1. Dependence on the provider: Users are dependent on the XaaS provider for the
availability, scalability, and reliability of the service, which can be a risk if the provider
experiences outages or other issues.
2. Limited flexibility: XaaS solutions may not be able to accommodate certain types of
workloads or applications, which can limit the value of the solution for certain
organizations.
3. Limited integration: XaaS solutions may not be able to integrate with existing
systems and data sources, which can limit the value of the solution for certain
organizations.
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What is Communication as a Service (CaaS)?
Communication as a service (CaaS) is a cloud-based solution provided by cloud vendors. CaaS
is a specialized variation of Software as a Service (SaaS) which is among three basic services
delivered by the cloud computing technology. When we talk about communication, recall, in
how many ways we can communicate with others. Well, we can communicate via text
message, voice call and video call.
CaaS providers manage the hardware and software that are important for delivering Voice
over IP (VoIP) for voice communication service, and other services like Instant Messaging (IM)
to provide text communication service and video conferencing to provide video
communication service.
CaaS model provides economical services as the service users do not have to bear the
expenditure of buying and managing the communication equipment. CaaS is favourable for
small IT companies that on the verge of expansion. Let us discuss the features of CaaS.
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Features of CaaS
1. Integrated and Unified Communication
The advanced unified communication features include Chat, Multimedia conferencing,
Microsoft Outlook integration, Real-time presence, “Soft” phones (software-based
telephones), Video calls, Unified messaging and mobility.
Nowadays, CaaS vendor introduces new features to their CaaS services much faster than ever
before. It has become economical for providers to introduce a new feature to their CaaS
application faster because the end-users are benefitting from the provider’s scalable platform
infrastructure and ultimately the many end-users using the provider’s service shares this cost
of enhancement.
2. No Investment Required
As we have learnt above it is the sole responsibility of CaaS vendor to manage hardware and
software deployed to provide the communication service to their customers. The customer
only has to pay for the service he is getting from the CaaS vendor, not for communication
features deployed to provide communication services.
3. Flexibility & Scalability
The customer can outsource the communication services form CaaS vendors. The customers
pay for what they have demanded. The customer can extend their service requirement
according to their need. This brings flexibility and scalability in communication services and
even make the service economical.
4. No Risk of Obsolescence
The CaaS vendors keep on updating their hardware and software that provide communication
services to meet the changing demands of the market. So, the customer using the services
does not have to be worried about the service obsolescence.
5. No Maintenance Cost Incurred
The customer outsourcing the CaaS service does not have to bear the cost of maintaining the
equipment deployed for providing communication services.
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6. Ensure Business Continuity
If due to any calamity your business’s geographical region is affected then how long can you
continue your business? That’s why nowadays companies distribute their data to the
geographically dispersed data center which maintain the redundancy & help them in
recovering soon after any catastrophic event.
The same feature is adopted and implemented by the CaaS providers in order to provide voice
continuity or communication continuity even if any catastrophic event strikes.
How Communication as a Service (CaaS) Works?
Business users opting for CaaS can selectively deploy communication features (hardware and
software) throughout their office on a pay-as-you-go basis. CaaS vendor designs
comprehensive, flexible and easy to understand service plans for their users.
The quality of communication service is assured by the CaaS vendors under the service level
agreement. CaaS is a fully hosted solutions that are practiced on the cloud-based technology
which can be implemented over multiple types of operating system such as windows, Linus,
Android & iOS. Because of this, the CaaS can be accessed through multiple types of connected
devices such as mobiles, handsets, tablets, TV sets, laptop, PC etc.
CaaS has brought the revolutionary change in method of communication from person to
person, person to machine and machine to machine.
CaaS abstracts the networks capability to handle peak load for their customer which make it
flexible. The network capabilities can be extended to raise the network capacity, devices and
area coverage based on the demands of the CaaS customers. However, the network
capabilities can be extended dynamically according to customers demand so that the
resources are not wasted.
Risk Involved in CaaS?
As we have mentioned earlier that the CaaS vendors are solely responsible for the quality of
the service they provide. So, from the customer’s perspective, there is no risk involved in
taking the services from the CaaS vendor.
The customers need not worry about the service being getting obsolete as the CaaS providers
perform periodic updates and they also manage the replacement of hardware and software
involved to keep the platform technically up to date.
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Advantages of Communication as a Service (CaaS)
• CaaS provides an economical way to deliver communication service to its customer by
preventing them from investing in hardware and software required for delivering
communication services.
• CaaS vendor provides 24/7 service to its customers.
• Customer receiving services from CaaS vendor do not have to indulge and invest in
managing the components of CaaS.
• CaaS vendor offers flexible service as they charge according to pay as you go basis.
• CaaS provide scalable services as they provide service based on customer’s demand.
• CaaS provides the hosted and managed solution which offers complete
communication solutions managed by a single vendor only.
• From the customers perspective, there is no risk of service becoming obsolete as the
vendors are responsible for upgrading the carrier platform.
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Cloud Computing Cloud Based Services
Monitoring as a Service (MaaS)
Monitoring as a Service (MaaS) provides you with the security solutions that are essential for
the organizations that are reliant on the IT infrastructure. However, for effective and efficient
monitoring, the organization must have up to date technology, experts knowing advanced
technical skills, scalable security processes and all this come with a tremendous expense.
Prior to the advent of electronic gadgets that are used for providing security services, the
human resource was used to perform all these monitoring activities but it was ineffective.
MaaS provides an effective solution to this problem. It provides 24/7 real-time monitoring,
reports any issue across the security infrastructure and secures the crucial data of their
customers.
If compared to the traditional security operations centre MaaS exceed in two important
things:
1. The total cost of ownership was higher in the traditional security operations centre.
2. Traditional security operations are less effective.
Features of MaaS
1. Protection Against External and Internal Threats
The security monitoring services analyze the alerts from security devices 24/7 in real-time.
The security analyst collects data from various security devices to recognize the threats and
thereby imply effective measures to respond to these threats.
• Early Detection
The information security team detects and discloses the security threats as soon after
they appear. The threats are reported to the customer via emails.
This reports describes the vulnerabilities in the security of the system and also
describes its effect on the systems or application. The report may also include the
protective measures that you can take for these vulnerabilities.
• Dashboard Interface
The dashboard interface is implemented as a platform, control and service monitoring.
This conceptualizes your system and its resource at one place and eases the
information security team to monitor the operation status of the platform being
monitor. The information security team try to find the reason of vulnerability by
navigating back in time and visualize how the system was performing before the
problem occurred and how it is performing after the problem has occurred.
As the root cause of the vulnerability is understood the preventive measure are
suggested to resolve the issue.
• Log Centralization and Analysis
It is a monitoring solution which involves the correlation of log entries and matching
of the log entries. Analyzing this correlation and matching of log entries set a
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benchmark for the operational performance and provide an index of the security
threats.
An alarm is raised if an incident moves above the benchmark parameters. This alarm
or warning is analyzed by security experts responsible for the quick response for such
threat incidents.
• Vulnerabilities Detection and Management
This service provides periodic automated testing which exposes the threat to
information system over the internet.
The service identifies threats such as unauthorized access to the administrative
services, the services that have not been updated for a long.
• Continuous System Patching/Upgrade and Fortification
The level of security is enhanced with the continuous system patching. System
patching is nothing but enhancing the computer program to fix the vulnerabilities and
bugs in the computer program.
System patching is very important as it not only raises the security level of your system
but also supports the newer version of the application and software installed on your
system.
• Intervention, Forensics, and Help Desk Services
We all are familiar with the help desk that provides you with quick assistance to your
problems. Similarly, the MaaS vendor has a team of experts with ample of knowledge
that intervenes whenever any threat is detected. They provide 24/7 assistance to
support and maintain the applications and infrastructure.
Whenever a threat is detected it requires the forensic analysis to check out how much
time cost and effort it will require to fix it.
2. Delivering Business Values
Most of the customer consider build-vs-buy decision is better if compared to calculating return
on investment (ROI).
But when calculated it is observed that cost of building a security monitoring infrastructure
along with the security monitoring team is more as compared to the outsourcing a MaaS
service provider.
The MaaS vendors have a complete information security infrastructure along with a team of
skill and the expert individual who are updated with the latest technology. The MaaS vendors
provide the scalable services which is an advantage for their customers. If the company try
and built its own security infrastructure it must have to focus on the staff attrition, technical
updates, scheduling operations, identifying the vulnerabilities and also find the solution to
resolve them. Outsourcing the MaaS services eliminates all these headaches.
Well if you want to evaluate the loss incurred by the external or internal incident the
parameters that you must take into account are the amount of loss occurred, frequency of
loss incurred and estimate the probability of occurring the loss. This is not an actual method
to calculate the loss incurred but it helps you in tracking the security metric.
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While outsourcing any service you must consider and quantify the risk involved in it. It will
raise your confidence that your investment will succeed. A scalable service is more valuable
as the customers can get additional business benefit by giving some additional cost.
3. Real-Time Log Monitoring Enables Compliance
Log monitoring is a process of recording log messages into a file which helps the developers
or administrator to understand how the system or application is being used. Real-time log
monitoring helps in quick detection of errors, failed process and services.
It also provides alerts for network and protocol failures. It warns the developers of
infrastructure problems. MaaS provides automation for this time-consuming process.
Advantages of MaaS
1. MaaS provide a ready to use a monitoring tool to its customer at a very minimal price.
2. MaaS leverage the customer to focus on their business instead of worrying about the
information security of their enterprise.
3. MaaS provides 24/7 assistance to its customers, who can report the issues and get
immediate assistance from the MaaS team.
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