Archives for April 2014

*This article has been published for Cloudwards here and  credited to yours truly.

Microsoft has unveiled the latest update from its cloud-computing service, Azure, in a demonstration at the recently concluded MS Build Conference. Slated to be Microsoft’s answer to Google and Amazon web services, Azure utilizes the power of the cloud to “enable new kinds of experiences that have never been possible”.

At the Build 2014, held in San Francisco, Microsoft introduces a one of a kind cloud ecosystem within the Microsoft Azure. The new service promises to deliver fully integrated cloud experience, allowing users to access cross-platform technologies, tools, and services, all in one place. Aside from adding .NET backend support, offline data syncing and Active Directory authentication system, the Azure platform can be used to enhance your current games.

Game developer Respawn Entertainment utilized Microsoft Azure for the Xbox One shooter, Titanfall. The demonstration, which you can watch here, Microsoft highlights how Azure can utilize the power of the cloud to improve gaming by faster rendering of the events for players.

The Next Generation in Gaming

As part of the second-day keynote address at Build, the demo team measured a typical PC’s GPU performance with that of a PC connected to the Azure cloud service using a simulation of a building being destroyed via rocket launchers. On the demo, the PC that was running without being connected to Azure was working at a greatly reduced frame rate of 2 FPS. This is due to randomly generated debris and particles showing on the screen, affecting the PC’s PGU performance.

On the other hand, the PC rig connected to Azure service maintained its 32 FPS frame rate and was able to handle all physics computations. The simulation, which is a prototype, illustrates the next step in gaming. While there’s no word on when the service will be offered, Microsoft is showing the kind of features which can be utilized using Azure and how amazing it would be if cloud computing could be integrated into gaming development, particularly in first person shooter games.

Playing Catch Up

Now that the new Azure is out and it’s promising a myriad of features, the question is, are developers willing to give Azure a try when similar more established cloud infrastructures like Amazon and Google, are offering massive computer power at better price points? Developing apps and tools for the cloud is certainly challenging for developers but Microsoft promises to simplify the process, and promising to deliver benefits without compromising speed, scale or cost.

Microsoft definitely has a lot of catching up to do. But with the unveiling of the new Azure updates, Microsoft is hoping to separate itself from other cloud by offering app operations and tools for development.

In addition, while the demo looked promising, the technology behind it is still in its first stages. One obvious caveat about utilizing Azure for gaming is that the service will require computing factors and bandwidth connectivity to play a game. This isn’t possible in everyday scenario. Such games will require higher speed of internet access, which is fine if you live in the city but for many of us who doesn’t live in the city, such speed is downright impossible to achieve much more, maintain.

Another factor that game developers will need to hurdle when integrating Azure services into their games is the downtime. In the past, Microsoft Azure was down for 8 hours across the country, leaving hundreds of subscribers seething. The outage shows how moving essential services to cloud-based platforms do not guarantee uninterrupted service.

Microsoft leaves every other cloud-computing vendor in the dust (at least for now) with its Azure cloud-based infrastructure but the tech giant has barely scratched the surface as far as the potentials of cloud computing go. While cloud-based gaming leaves more questions than answers, because technology is still limited, there’s no doubt that this is an exciting time for gamers.

 

*This article has been published for Cloudwards here and  credited to yours truly.

Storing confidential files via cloud-based storage just got a whole more secure! YourDigitalFile.com, a Brisbane-based firm, claims to have the most secure cloud-based storage and document trading system in the world.

Jamie Wilson, a Brisbane accountant, who created Your Digital File – spent more than three years developing the system. Wilson, who claims that his system offers “impenetrable online storage”’ was compelled to build a secure storage system following the sudden death of his father. He had trouble locating and gathering all of his late father’s documents.

This led Wilson on a journey towards developing what would become the world’s most secure cloud-based storage system, teaming up with some of prominent security experts to develop his own storage structure.

Souped-Up Encryption Technology

The system, which can be accessed at www.yourdigitalfile.com, features the company’s super secure Cryptoloc™ encryption algorithms. In order to access their files, users will require more than just a password to get through the system.

Any data or file saved from the Your Digital File will be encrypted automatically so they cannot be accessed without using a password-protected digital private key. The digital private key is generated and saved to a client’s computer as soon as they sign up for the service.

When used, the private key unlocks and decrypts the encrypted files. The system also offers a nifty feature that helps recover any files if the security key is lost. The technology behind the advanced Cryptoloc encryption algorithms has an international patent application.

The Future of Cloud-Based Storage

In a statement, Wilson believes that the Your Digital File’s advanced encryption security will provide “new options for industries such as banking, insurance, telecommunications and financial planning – virtually any industry that needs to store documents securely, confidentially and with complete audit trails.”. This means that all Your Data Files users can store confidential documents without fear of being accessed by unauthorized parties, not even the YourDigitalFile.com team.

Wilson also claimed that Your Digital File would provide a new storage option for Bitcoins, sharing the company’s openness for assisting telecommunications firms when dealing with any amendments to the Australian privacy laws.

Even better, Wilson claims that the Cryptoloc encryption algorithms is in strict compliance with the Australian Government’s Signals Directorate standards for cryptographic algorithms and protocols and the legal requirements for valid electronic signatures.

The newest storage system with the newfangled Cryptoloc™ encryption algorithms is currently in beta phase and is slated for a full launch early this year.

 

 

 

*This article has been published for Cloudwards here and  credited to yours truly.

Here’s an interesting development at Cloud-based storage giant, Dropbox: Users can now store their files via Dropbox and be HIPAA compliant at the same time!

Dropbox recently teamed u with San Mateo-based startup firm, Sookasa, to introduce a new compliance layer for storing files on the cloud.

Sookasa, a compliance service for cloud products is comprised of security experts including a former Israeli Intelligence commander and former employees from companies the likes of IBM, Cisco and Google. Joining the Sookasa team is Accel’s Sameer Gandhi, who previously led early investment in security software provider, SourceFire and Dropbox.

Better Protection Against Confidential Files On The Cloud

Unlike average users, individuals working in regulated industries such as health care, education or financial services are required to use tools that are compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act or HIPAA. HIPAA has control over who accesses certain files on the system; the act also requires auditing on individuals who opened the files at any given time.

Dropbox and most cloud storage service providers are not HIPAA compliant by default. Sookasa aims to change all that by offering a “transparent layer of security” for such clouds storage systems in a straightforward, user-friendly process.

So here’s how the new integration works: A Sookasa folder will show up on your Dropbox account. From this folder, you can store any file you want to encrypt and protect. No extra step needed. All files with be encrypted, audited and are access controlled automatically. Even if the file is shared on Dropbox, it won’t be accessible to anyone without an encryption key.

According to Sookasa cofounder and Chief Executive, Asaf Cidon, the move to offer better file security was prompted by the gradual shift from personal computing to mobile or multiple devices as well as the growing trend of using cloud-based storage systems.

In addition, persistent problems related to device loss and scattering of files by cloud storage services have cause of concern for highly regulated industries. With the instruction of Sookasa’s newest security innovation, the risk of a privacy breach is minimized because users can remotely wipe access to files, giving privacy sensitive companies more control over who gets to access their data.

The Future of Sookasa

It’s also interesting to note that Sookasa offers flexibility in terms of how users want to use the service. Companies who deal with sensitive data are encouraged to keep the storage provider and encryption providers separate to further bolster protection against unauthorized access and alleviate concern regarding privacy breach liability.

Apart from boosting privacy, the service also offers administrative capabilities such as setting polices and the ability to either grant or remove access to specific users. Sookasa’s service is priced at 10/month or $100/year per member, backed up with a 30-day free trial. The company is also set to offer a free version of the service which may include personal encryption though administrative dashboard or compliance feature will not be included in the package.

At the moment, Sookasa is the first software firm to introduce such service and holds the patents for the technology. Sookasa integrates the service with Dropbox as both companies share an investor. However, Sookasa promises to bring the technology to other platforms in the near future.