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IaaS vs PaaS: Compare Cloud Service Models

Posted in: cloud infrastructure platform, cloud platforms, Cloud Virtualization, IaaS, infrastructure-as-a-service, PaaS, platform-as-a-service - Sep 08, 2021

Cloud computing services are becoming mandatory parts of the modern business world. Most organizations are using one or more types of cloud-based services, whether that’s Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), or Software-as-a-Service (SaaS).

SaaS is the most common model among cloud computing services, but IaaS and PaaS serve equally important functions for businesses. IaaS and PaaS facilitate the demand of end users to collect, store, and process a large amount of data. In this article, we discuss IaaS vs PaaS for a better understanding of these cloud-based services.

What Is IaaS?

Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) is a form of cloud computing that provides virtualized computing resources to consumers over the internet on a pay-as-you-go and on-demand basis. These virtualized resources include essential computing, storage, and networking resources.

IaaS helps consumers gain real-time business insights without the higher maintenance costs of on-premises data centers and hardware. IaaS gives users the flexibility to scale IT resources up and down as needed.

It also helps users quickly provision new applications and increase the reliability of underlying infrastructure. IaaS is easier to use, faster, more flexible, and cost-efficient. The cloud provider manages IT infrastructure, delivering services to subscriber organizations through virtual machines accessible over the internet.

When Should You Use IaaS?

IaaS is an alternative to on-premises infrastructure that specifically helps network architects and system administrators. Here are the primary use cases for IaaS:

You want to have control. With IaaS, providers manage servers and storage, but your organization gets to manage everything running on the infrastructure.
Your company is growing. With IaaS, you can make changes as your needs evolve, or depending on traffic spikes and valleys.
You want to increase your stability, reliability, support, and security. With IaaS, there’s no need to maintain and upgrade hardware, or troubleshoot equipment problems.

Examples of IaaS providers include:

Amazon EC2

Compute Engine

Linode

Azure Virtual Machines

DigitalOcean

Virtual Machine Manager

Alibaba Elastic Compute Service

Hostwinds

OVHcloud

Alibaba E-HPC

Read more on ServerWatch: Best Cloud-Based Services & Companies

What Is PaaS?

Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) is a category of cloud computing that provides users a complete cloud-based platform for developing, running, and managing their applications. These services are typically associated with developing and launching applications, allowing developers to build, maintain, and package such software bundles.

In PaaS, a third-party provider delivers hardware, software tools, and infrastructure to users over the internet. Usually, these are used for application development. Users can purchase the resources as needed from a service provider on a pay-as-you-go basis, accessing them over a secure internet network. The users manage the applications and services they develop, and the cloud service provider typically manages everything else.

When Should You Use PaaS?

PaaS is an alternative to traditional hardware and software development tools to help developers and deployment. PaaS use cases include:

You need to build software, and you have resources. If you don’t want the trouble of building servers, networks, and managing databases. In this situation, PaaS facilitates the virtual platforms and tools to create, test, and deploy your applications and services.
Multiple remote developers are working on the same project. PaaS can provide you with a great environment, speed, and flexibility for your entire process, regardless of where your developers are located.
You are rapidly developing or deploying an application. PaaS can help reduce costs and simplify the challenges associated with quickly shipping an application.

Examples of PaaS providers include:

AWS Elastic Beanstalk
Oracle Cloud Platform
Google App Engine
Microsoft Azure
Salesforce aPaaS
RedHat OpenShift
Mendix aPaaS
IBM Cloud Platform
SAP Cloud Platform
Engine Yard

IaaS vs PaaS: What’s the Difference?

IaaS and PaaS are both cloud-based options designed to relieve the company and IT department of their responsibilities when it comes to handling data, software, OS, virtualization, servers, storage, and networking. However, there are several differences when considering IaaS vs PaaS.

Services

An IaaS provider offers a virtual data center to store company information and create platforms for services and application development, testing, and deployment. On the other hand, a PaaS provider offers a virtual platform and the tools to create, test, and deploy applications and services.

End-User Management

IaaS allows end users to manage their applications, the platforms used to build them, and the cloud-based resources to keep everything running — such as OS, middleware, runtime environment, applications, and data. On the other hand, PaaS allows end users to manage the apps they develop with the tools provided by the cloud platform.

End User Security Responsibilities

The IaaS users are responsible for securing their data, user access, applications, operating systems, and virtual network traffic. On the other hand, the PaaS users are responsible for securing their applications, data, and user access.

Vendor Security Responsibilities

The IaaS vendors are responsible for enforcing secure access controls to the physical facilities, IT systems, and cloud services. On the other hand, the PaaS vendors are responsible for securing the operating system and physical infrastructure.

Flexibility and Cost

IaaS is very flexible, but it’s the most expensive form of cloud computing. On the other hand, PaaS is flexible within certain limitations, and mid-tier in cost.

Choosing the Right Solution

The biggest advantage of IaaS is that solutions can easily scale with businesses as they grow, or downsize if necessary. On the other hand, the biggest advantage of PaaS is its ability to save developers significant time throughout a project.

In cloud computing, IaaS is often the first step in hybrid-cloud and multi-cloud strategies, whereas PaaS is a step toward Infrastructure as Code. IaaS and PaaS are designed to achieve different goals for different types of users. When it comes to IaaS vs. PaaS, depending on your organization’s needs you may not have to choose.

The post IaaS vs PaaS: Compare Cloud Service Models appeared first on CIO Insight.

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Access Control Security Best Practices

Posted in: access control, access management, best practices, biometric authentication, Cloud Access Manager, cloud data security, IT Strategy, mfa, Network Access Control, physical security, remote access, Security, security best practices, SSO - Sep 07, 2021

Access control security measures ensure only authorized users are able to enter and interact with a network. You wouldn’t want just anyone to be able to view sensitive information on one of your company’s laptops. Alternatively, you may want only certain users or roles within the organization to have access to sensitive information.

There are four different types of access control: DAC, MAC, RBAC, and ABAC. As such, the access control security best practices for your organization depend on the company size, level of security, and any compliance regulations.

Types of Access Control

The types of access control can be broken down into who administers access (DAC and MAC) versus how access is administered (RBAC and ABAC).

Discretionary Access Control (DAC)

In DAC, one or more system administrators grant each user a certain level of access according to their role. This method most likely works best for smaller companies that can rely on individuals to regulate access.

Mandatory Access Control (MAC)

The government and military often employ MAC. In this method, a central agency gives individuals information clearance based on what they level they are working in. It is non-discretionary, in the sense that one person is not in control of granting each person a certain kind of access. MAC is more centralized and standardized.

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

As the name implies, only individuals who play a particular role within an organization will need access to certain data in the RBAC model. For instance, an HR administrator will need different information than the CFO; they will thus have access to different types of data in the network.

Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)

In contrast to RBAC, in ABAC the person’s role doesn’t matter as much as a set of criteria, such as their location or work shift. This method pertains most to multinational enterprises, where individuals are accessing information from various parts of the world and at different times.

Applications of Access Control

There are two types of access control applications: data access control and physical access control. Your company will likely need both, unless it completely operates remotely. In that case, your focus will be data access control. Each type of access control employs different forms of entry access: login credentials, badge scanners, biometric technology, or a combination of these.

Cloud-Based Access Control

An organization can store data on a local server (legacy systems), in a cloud, in multiple clouds, or in a mix of physical data storage and cloud storage (hybrid). Most companies these days store their data in hybrid or completely cloud-based environments. Cloud-based storage offers a more secure and convenient way of configuring access control, as it easily integrates with other software.

Cloud-based storage offers a more secure and convenient way of configuring access control.

For example, an on-site system administrator can configure access for users via a cloud access security broker. Within this cloud-based control panel, the system administrator sets who can log into a SaaS application, such as Box or Workday, through single sign-on (SSO).

As mentioned before, login access can take many forms, from entering passwords to scanning fingerprints or badges. The system administrator grants or denies access by adding layers of security between the user’s web browser or desktop app and the SaaS cloud server. The system administrator can permit or deny access to particular URLs or to particular categories, such as job boards or social media.

At a more granular level, the system administrator can allow a user access to a SaaS, but still permit only certain functions to be performed in the SaaS. The user, whether signing in via the installed app or via web browser, will then either be allowed, blocked, or redirected.

Physical Access Control

Allowing only certain people to enter the physical premises is still a prevalent security concern for enterprises with brick-and-mortar locations. A system administrator can grant access to certain users through badges, key fobs, keypads, biometric technology, wireless access control, or mobile access control.

There are many types of biometric technology that are becoming increasingly popular for enterprise access control. These devices store and read biological data, such as fingerprints, retina or iris scans, or facial features. Some methods are more secure and expensive than others. Based on your company’s needs, you’ll have to consider whether biometric technology is worth implementing.

In wireless access control, the user presents some sort of login credential, such as a PIN. A wireless router communicates between the control panel, the reader, and the barrier to entry — such as a lock, gate, or door.

In mobile access control, the user opens the downloaded mobile app on their mobile device. The app then communicates with the reader to allow physical entry.

Access Control Tips and Best Practices

For data access control, cloud-based is the way to go because it:

Is more secure
Is convenient
Saves money
Saves time
Keeps everything up-to-date

Convenience is a key benefit with cloud data access control, as your system administrator does not have to be located in any particular physical place to configure data access control. Further, everything will be kept up-to-date because the server automatically backs up information.

For physical entry access control, mobile apps are your best bet because they are:

More foolproof
More secure
Very convenient

Users are likely to lose, forget, or damage their badges or key fobs. You also don’t want to risk those physical objects landing in the wrong hands, and have an unauthorized person enter the property. Your company may also want to consider using biometric technology, but will have to weigh the privacy and ethics concerns of storing and managing users’ biological data.

If confidential or sensitive data gets leaked or hacked, your company could face fines, damage to its reputation, and other negative consequences. This is why access control is so important and prevalent today in enterprises big and small.

The post Access Control Security Best Practices appeared first on CIO Insight.

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Data Analytics vs Data Science: What’s the Difference?

Posted in: Big Data, big data analytics, Big Data careers, big data science, Careers, Data Analytics, data science - Sep 07, 2021

In today’s big data world, insights produce actionable results. But with big data comes the need for a greater understanding of the tools required to glean as much information as possible.

People who perform functions such as data analytics and data science help companies organize massive amounts of data and develop results-driven actions for the next steps. To help you optimize your data, let’s break down both categories, examining their differences and discovering how each provides value to business.

What Is Data Analytics?

Data analytics focuses on viewing the historical data. Analysts use datasets to learn information in specific areas, using specific software. For example, a data analyst may need to find out why a marketing campaign did well only in one region and nowhere else.

Read more: What Is Predictive Analytics?

What Is Data Science?

Data scientists focus on machine learning and predictive modeling. They use scientific methods to learn insights from both structured and unstructured information. Data scientists estimate the unknown by seeking answers to questions, writing algorithms, and building statistical models.

Data scientists can arrange fuzzy sets of data using multiple tools simultaneously, and also develop their own automation systems and frameworks.

Why Do These Topics Get Confused?

Sometimes technical terms get confused because the technology is constantly evolving. While the tasks performed by data analysts and data scientists are related, and some people use the terms interchangeably, they are unique fields that differ in many ways. One of the biggest differences is their scope.

Data scientists focus on the big picture, finding meaningful correlations between large datasets. People who work in data analytics help to uncover the specifics of these extracted insights.

If you think of data science as more of an umbrella term that data analytics sits under, it may help keep the two separated in your mind.

How Are Data Analytics and Data Science Used in Business?

Data Analytics

Data analytics help companies know customers in more depth. Knowing who their audience is allows a business to evaluate things like ad campaigns and personalized copy. As a result, data analytics helps create content strategies and develop products — improving a company’s bottom line by boosting performance.

A data analyst manages structured data, often using SQL queries for such purposes. Most hold at least a bachelor’s degree in data analytics, or have backgrounds in statistics and database administration. If they lack formal education, data analysts can learn the tools they would use in a practical work environment. Some of the skills tools required are statistical analysis, database management and reporting, data analysis, R or SAS, and SQL.

If you’re interested in becoming a data analyst, you should look within these fields:

Finance
Health care
Travel
Gaming

Data Science

A data scientist helps in summarizing the performance of the company, and the overall health of the product. They’ll analyze the businesses’ health, find problems, and show enterprises how to deal with them. Companies can then predict the success rate of their strategies by using data science.

Data scientists can be data engineers or big data architects. In addition to mathematical and statistical knowledge, hacking skills, and substantive expertise, many data scientists hold a master’s degree in data science.

Some tools and skills that data scientists rely on are machine learning, software development, Java, Hadoop, Python, and data mining/data warehousing. In addition, data scientists responsible for handling unstructured data use NoSQL.

If you’re interested in becoming a data scientist, you may want to seek out:

Search engine engineering
Machine learning
AI
Corporate analytics

Data Analytics vs Data Science

While data analytics and data science are interconnected, they each play a vital, but different, role in business. When it comes to data analytics vs data science, understanding how to best utilize each of them will help your business analyze trends and develop the correct solutions.

Read next: What Is Vector Similarity Search?

The post Data Analytics vs Data Science: What’s the Difference? appeared first on CIO Insight.

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What Is the Cost of Remote Work for Employees and Businesses?

Posted in: Blogs, Careers, Hiring, hiring challenges, HR Management, remote work - Sep 07, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic forced millions of people to begin working remotely, but what is the cost of remote work? Employees have adjusted to a new “normal” work environment, and companies have adapted to a “new” operational domain. A Glassdoor study shows job seeker interest in remote work remains high, but businesses are less interested.

What can each side, businesses and employees, do to help alleviate tensions between parties? It depends on one’s point of view. Business leaders, for the most part, want to bring employees back to the office. Remote employees want the flexibility remote work provides, and are demanding a better work-life balance. Is there any middle ground?

Employees Crave Flexibility

Before the pandemic, many organizations provided a “work from home” option to their employees. Although not widely used, employees already working from home provided a blueprint to handle a crisis like COVID-19.

Surprisingly, even companies with relatively small infrastructure were able to allow thousands of employees to continue working. With everyone remotely connected, all employees began to realize the potential remote work could offer, including flexible schedules, no commutes, and more family time.

40% of employees said their organization hasn’t communicated its vision for post-pandemic work.

In April 2021, McKinsey released a report outlining employees’ questions and concerns during and after the pandemic. The survey shows that remote employees are more productive and less anxious when a company takes the time to communicate expectations.

Unfortunately, 40% of employees surveyed said their organization hasn’t communicated its vision for post-pandemic work. Communication alleviates frustration and burnout; employees deserve to know what’s coming. After the crisis ends, 52% survey respondents said they want a more flexible working model.

Businesses Remain Skeptical of Remote Work

Many employees believe remote work saves their employers money, but companies want to cut pay to those workers who wish to continue remote work.

For example, Google wants to lower wages if an employee moves to an area with a lower cost of living. Before the pandemic, many companies’ pay was based on the location of a central office. When companies like Google and other big tech firms floated this idea, many employees felt betrayed and outraged.

These employees don’t want to take a pay cut because they move to a different location. It’s worth noting that employees who moved before the pandemic didn’t receive a pay cut. And when business leaders relocated, their salaries didn’t receive adjustments.

That said, depending on the type of work, businesses leaders have trouble believing remote employees are actually more productive. They say things like on-site workers are more innovative thanks to in-person chats with colleagues. However, recent evidence shows office employees actually tend to work with headphones and ignore each other.

Read more: Top 10 Paying IT Jobs in 2021

Business leaders also appeal to fairness. Many industries require people in specific business areas to be in the office, staffing call centers and manufacturing units. If these employees need to be there physically, the thinking goes, then so should the whole workforce.

As businesses threaten remote employees with pay cuts or layoffs, employees with new attitudes are leaving companies for full-time remote opportunities. As global demand for skilled workers — especially in technical fields — rises, employees believe they can demand more flexibility.

What’s more, some states are offering remote employees financial incentives to work there. Cities in states with a lower cost of living like Arkansas, Georgia, and Arizona offer stipends to people who want to work exclusively remote. Unfortunately, the incentive is just for the first year of work. It’s up to businesses to offer more long-term incentives to keep remote workers happy.

What the Future Holds

If the pandemic lasted a few months, these conversations wouldn’t be happening. As COVID-19 progressed, workers’ priorities shifted. Work will need to more flexible for both workers and businesses going forward. Recent outbreaks of the COVID-19 Delta variant are pushing out companies’ timelines to get employees back in the office.

The advantage, for now, is with remote employees looking for a more permanent remote work model. Business leaders trying to get these people back in the office face an uphill battle as long as the pandemic goes on. For the present, both sides need to think about the future, and how things can work differently.

The post What Is the Cost of Remote Work for Employees and Businesses? appeared first on CIO Insight.

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ITIL Certification Guide: Overview & Cost

Posted in: Careers, certification, IT certifications, ITIL, ITIL best practices, ITIL certification - Sep 03, 2021

ITIL certification is among the top requirements for an IT professional for many good reasons. The IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) framework can help businesses mitigate risk while strengthening relations with their customers, establishing best practices, and cutting costs.

In addition, many organizations view ITIL as a common language or model, making its related skills more transferable between organizations. Let’s explore how getting an ITIL certification can be the best option for boosting your career and earning potential.

Read more: Top 10 Paying IT Jobs in 2021

What Is the ITIL Framework?

The ITIL framework aims to standardize IT support processes, review existing processes, and improve them. The framework initially consisted of IT service management processes outlined in a library of books. Over the years, the ITIL framework has evolved; it’s currently in its fourth iteration, ITIL v4.

The ITIL framework aims to standardize IT support processes, review existing processes, and improve them.

Today it is the most popular set of best practices for delivering IT support systems. Successful businesses worldwide implement the ITIL framework to assess and improve their end-to-end delivery of digital products.

The ITIL framework brings a holistic approach that can improve processes across an entire organization. In addition, the ITIL framework implements a new way of working among streamlined processes.

What Is an ITIL v4 Certification?

ITIL v4 expands on previous versions and provides a practical and flexible basis to backing businesses on their journey to digital transformation.

The certification can help employees who require a basic understanding of the ITIL framework, those who need to understand how they can use ITIL v4 to improve IT service management, and any other IT professionals who will be working in an organization that has adopted the framework.

How Much Is an ITIL Certification?

Getting an ITIL certification requires registration fees that range from $150 to $600 for both ITIL v3 and ITIL v4 certification exams.

School-based ITIL training can cost $500 to $2,000, which may or may not include exam fees.

If you’re thinking of getting the certification, you can self-study or choose to pay for a class — either online or in the classroom. School-based ITIL training can cost $500 to $2,000, which may or may not include exam fees.

While the success rate puts the odds of passing in your favor, if you do happen to fail the first time, keep in mind that you’ll likely have to pay a fee to retake the test.

Benefits of ITIL Certification

If you’re looking for ways to bolster your IT career, then ITIL certification should be on your radar. It’s one of the best you can get, namely because it’s one of the most sought-after certifications, and companies all around the globe tend to hire those with the qualifications.

Better Resume

It teaches you the language of ITIL and will increase your standing in the IT community. When you start applying for IT jobs with an ITIL foundation certification, it will make you a valued resource for any role you may want.

Read more: Hiring Crunch Hits IT

Higher Pay

According to PayScale, those with an ITIL certification earn $93,000 on average in the US. With that in mind, this certification could pay for itself.

Career Advancement

It shouldn’t be a surprise that an ITIL foundation certification can help you land a better job. Maintaining a commitment to best practices will show your manager your suitability for a senior project management position and beyond.

In addition, this certification will supplement candidates’ considerable knowledge of IT with the skills required for a director position.

Many entry-level IT jobs require you to have at least some knowledge of ITIL v4.

Many entry-level IT jobs prefer applicants to have at least some knowledge of ITIL v4. This may be a viable option for those who can’t yet pay for certification but have a knowledge base of the framework.

Some companies may even offer on-the-job training and certifications for their employees. Be sure to show off your knowledge in your cover letter or interview.

If You’re Certified in ITIL v3, Do You Need to Recertify?

If you hold an ITIL v3 certification, it doesn’t hurt to recertify and keep beefing up that resume. ITIL certs don’t expire, but it’s better to continue to v4 for all the above reasons (bolsters your resume and gets you better standing and better pay).

Those who earned certification under ITIL v3 will be eligible for the ITIL v4 certification as your credits gained from previous versions can help get you to v4.

There is a tremendous value attached to this certification because there is a growing demand for the framework. The ITIL certification provides a place to jumpstart or grow your career.

In fact, ITIL and its different certification modules help professionals in each level of the IT hierarchy. Earning an ITIL foundation certification will undoubtedly boost your earning potential and help you land the job you deserve.

The post ITIL Certification Guide: Overview & Cost appeared first on CIO Insight.

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