Computer Sciences and Information Technology
Topic:
Virtualization in the Cloud
Assume that your company has 1,000 desktops, for which your CIO wants to deliver an operating system and environment on demand. Discuss the ability to provide desktop virtualization and which tools you would require. Be sure to note costs, risks, and other processes associated with landing these desktops. Will they contain user data? Will it be images only? Will they be zero clients, etc.? How does this differ in a secure cloud environment based upon image deployment and standard network infrastructure?
Paper should be a full 2 pages long, not including cover page and reference page.
Worlanyo, E. (2018). A survey of cloud computing security: Issues, challenges and solutions. Retrieved from https://www.cse.wustl.edu/~jain/cse570-15/ftp/cld_sec/index.html
Virtualization in the Cloud
Virtualization in cloud computing involves the development of a virtual platform that enables the user’s operating system to be stored on the server remotely. Telsa Company has 1000 physical desktops and needs to implement desktop virtualization infrastructure (VDI) to enhance its operations. The company also considers several benefits of desktop virtualization, including more efficiency and flexibility in resource allocation, low cost of IT infrastructure, ability to run multiple operating systems, availability, and rapid scalability (Data Flair, 2019). Based on the Telsa Company operations assessment, the implementation of VDI would object to giving each desktop that runs Windows a memory of 72GB and 1vCPU.
To provide VDI capable of supporting the company, the tools that will be required include sixteen servers with each of the servers unit costing $20,000.00. Another essential tool is one unit of storage-SAN (100,000 IOPS+) at the cost of $300,000.00. The VDI implementation service of $150,000.00; hence, the total investment that the company would require to implement the desktop virtualization infrastructure is $905,430.00. The company will also pay desktop virtualization software renewal of $35,000.00 for the 1000 desktops paid yearly or monthly. Telsa Company would acquire 1000 thin clients with each unit price being $400.00. Therefore, the company would require a total of $1,340,430.00 to deliver an operating system and environment on demand. The other process associated with the company acquiring the desktops besides cost is the risks (Lindros & Tittle, 2013). The company should ensure that the physical security of the desktops environment is well established, enough power is available to support the desktops, and the atmosphere is suitable for the desktops operations. Other components associated with DVI implantation include desktop administration, troubleshooting, costs associated with desktop downtime, privacy, and backup.
Since the VDI will contain user information, security would be an essential aspect of cloud computing operations. The security threats and vulnerabilities that are likely to hinder the process of the company VDI include organizational security risks such as malicious insiders. The company would also face physical security risks such as unauthorized on-site access and theft. Technological risks such as failure of hardware and compliance and audit risks are also associated with the implementation of VDI (Worlanyo, 2018). However, to ensure security in the cloud, the company will apply different countermeasures for security risks, including strict legal constraints in employee contracts to prevent malicious insiders. Strong physical security deterrents should be put developed in order to avoid physical security risks. The deterrents should include installation of biometric scans, use of keycard access, and armed security guards to restrict access to the data center.
To avoid technological security risks, the company would put in place a virtualized defense and reputation-based trust management capable of dealing with numerous attacks, reputation aggregation, and probing colluders. The application of an Advanced Cloud Protection system (ACPS) will help the company to protected virtual machines and monitor executable system files. Compliance and audit risks would be avoided through understanding legal and regulatory obligations and ensuring they are fully met. Telsa would apply two methods to ensure cloud data is secured. They include authentication and encryption (Worlanyo, 2018). The authentication methods that would help in protecting data privacy and confidentiality would be applied by including an identity-based hierarchical model for cloud computing (IBHMCC) and the SSH Authentication Protocol (SAP). The company would use different encryption techniques such as Secure Socket Layer (SSL) 128-bit encryption and cryptographic algorithm encryption, with encryption capable of securing the data in the cloud.
References
Data Flair. (2019, January 31). Virtualization in Cloud Computing – Benefits & Types of Virtualization. Retrieved from https://data-flair.training/blogs/virtualization-in-cloud-computing/
Lindros, K., & Tittle, E. (2013, December 16). Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Offers Risks and Rewards. IDG Communications, Inc. Retrieved from https://www.cio.com/article/2380183/virtual-desktop-infrastructure-offers-risks-and-rewards.html
Worlanyo, E. (2018). A survey of cloud computing security: Issues, challenges and solutions. Retrieved from https://www.cse.wustl.edu/~jain/cse570-15/ftp/cld_sec/index.html
