The evolution of the Cloud

Evolution is part of the essence of mankind. Over the centuries, we have witnessed how much progress was achieved mostly as a result of the necessity to solve particular problems. Thus we observe how every cycle of innovation ended with great discoveries. Now we are at the cusp of another giant leap - waiting for the turning point, trying to guess what next innovation is likely to happen in the next decade.

During modern times we note how evolution is inexorably linked with digital technology, especially computers, and yet although it uses related technological devices every day, so far mankind does not seem ready to embrace this reality.

Humanity is filled with paradox. We can use a computer daily cannot accept the fact that this tool is the modern “supplement of soul” that Bergson was talking about. Hopefully Mother nature is well balanced and women in business are still here to save the situation, as it is well illustrated in the Torah, the very book that is to be linked with the most promising country concerning technology: Israel.

It is not an isolated case, as Madame Fleur Pellerin (ex-French Minister of the Digital and SME department) showered praise on computer science and programming, while learning the rudiments of the core language used for iPhone/iPad (Objective-C). Here in Malta, it is gratifying to notice that a woman has been chosen as President. In my opinion this symbolism can be linked with the ambitious project called “Digital Malta” and how its ICT vision can morph on this island.

Information is the key, and Malta knows it. Quoting Louis Armand, “a democracy is especially solid that it can stand a large volume of information of good quality”. Back on the subject of the “Digital Malta” program, one can read how such a small island tries to illustrate its grand and ambitious vision. Computer sciences might be young but the management of information is an old philosophy that carries a lot of benefits to those who pay attention.

Technology is another proof of the paradoxical character called “man”. Indeed, in an over-connected world where it is easy to get information and to communicate with others, digital networks seem to isolate people from each other and to cause them to become indifferent of many things around them. Information is valuable, but its philosophical value is intertwined to the presence of Man as the old adage says - its value is possible thanks to human interactions.

Over the past years since the onset of recession we note how financial markets and the inevitable crisis that followed are for sure the greatest witnesses of this fatality. Back to the theme of innovation and one can console himself that the unbridled power of Cloud computing and its vast networking proneness represents another opportunity for mankind to evolve, to open its mind, and accelerate creativity.

We have all heard success stories linked to Facebook or Google. It is a paradigm shift in technology so commonplace today that even our grand-parents use it daily, the same people that endured the ravages of Second World War in the forties, who saw radio, TV and washing machines entering into their houses in the mid-fifties. Yes, the Internet is everywhere and thanks to the research into this technology, we see how its functionality connects people and information across the planet.

Who could predict that countries could spy on one another via hacked networks to steal classified information? The power of information is immense and its value will increase as time goes by. But having the information is not enough. This is where Malta is winning points in the race to harness the supremacy of cloud computing, one of the most powerful tools to manage the proliferation of connected devices and computing data, giving a competitive edge to local companies.  

This new paradigm enhances a brand new dynamic, in which the principal actor is not the machine, but men. The solemn reality in the equation is that technology is subsumed to the service of mankind. This philosophy was amply explained in the works by the Italian master Leonardo Da Vinci. It refers to a completely new approach to the world and delivers a message to the present generation - that we ought to embrace cloud computing and domesticate it.

One may say that big data and cloud computing is no marvel, however we can see that governments who took a passive view on the subject in the past are now looking to recruit talented people in this sector. Cloud computing is about to become one of the most strategic elements in management, for people to work together and for developing a common vision for the future. Malta has joined (or is about to do so) and so are titans of the industry such as Oracle and Microsoft.

The government truly believes in the potential of the island’s inhabitants and therefore invested $30 million in it. Its strategy is sustainable due to the fact that Microsoft also donated software at discounted prices to Maltese students. With Digital Malta, the young republic has manifested its resolve of playing big. It is not only a vision for the ICT sector. It is a vision for the country itself. Its presentation makes it clear.

Digital Malta is here to make people’s lives easier and companies more competitive. The concerted spirit of its approach sums its purpose up really well. This project was built by consulting all stakeholders involved in a wide circle of users. Every stakeholder agreed to implement the strategy with long-term views. It is more than just a project. It is an ambitious structural reform promoting a new approach on education, with a lifelong learning scheme that complements the rise of massive open online courses (MOOC). But where is its Achilles’ heel?

The answer everybody has in mind when we talk about cloud computing is security.
The PRISM affair, involving the listening to phone calls from American institutions to the rest of the world, made us suspect that modern Watergates are going to be more and more numerous. Consequently countries like USA, UK, Germany and France hired IT experts in their own armies to keep their national data safe and confidential.

After the massive hack by the Russians against Estonia in the late 90’s, governments in the West made IT security a top priority. Companies did the same and hired experts to protect them against hackers. They did a great job as only a few systems were attacked; indeed, SQL-injection can be avoided thanks to a very simple command and XSS problems are solved easily if the script is corrected.

Thus, security is not a concern if the right tools are used and if professionals take their time to protect the Cloud. To quote an example is the case of the French attitude, which objects to develop its cloud system because of human rights concerns. This is the opposite of the English attitude that is thinking of using the cloud to ameliorate its efficiency in hospitals for instance.

In conclusion, the cloud is already well developed and security issues are not the real problem. The very issue of this framework is the lack of professionals. The Maltese government made a clever move here, and many countries will certainly follow suit.

This is proof of courage and commitment toward future generations and the true culture of cloud computing. “Courage is the first of human qualities, because it is the quality which guarantees all the others,” said Churchill. A country at ease with technology today is likely to be a leader tomorrow.

Alexandre Paulin is a finance graduate with PKF Malta.