Cloud computing is the delivery of computing with shared resources, software, and information that are provided as a utility or service through the Internet. Many of us use cloud computing daily for example when we check our web-mail online, or use a search engine. Cloud computing is a radically different model of computing and Internet use to the traditional ones.
Cloud computing has big advantages for remote or distributed organisations and people.Some advantages are; real-time information sharing, collaboration tools, simple updates, security, natural disaster-resistant backups, access to huge computing power, and the ability to access resources from multiple locations without transporting a computer around, or simply carrying a small smart-phone or tablet.
Cloud computing also has serious challenging issues, including reliance on third parties, loss of control over information, privacy, information crossing borders with different laws, out-of-date policies and more that are beyond the scope of this submission.
The National Cultural Policy and the NBN must engage with cloud computing as a complex, urgent and challenging cultural and civic issue. Many Australian people are engaging deeply with Internet cloud computing systems and this will increase.
