Students are required to write an academic report as per the format outlined in chapter 5 of the textbook. The report must follow Harvard citation and referencing guidelines.Please note that the prescribed textbook uses APA referencing guidelines. See also the Referencing Style subsection below.

The report is to be based on the following scenario about security and privacy in cloud computing.

Recently increased use of mobile devices and the growth of the Internet in current business practices have led to the provision of Cloud Computing which relies on sharing computing resources rather than having local servers or personal devices handle software applications.Cloud Computing can be thought of as many different computers pretending to be one computing environment. It provides the delivery of computer and storage resources as a service to end-users usingthe Internet.

There is a significant benefit to organisationsin the leverage of Cloud Computing services, not least of which is the potential for significant cost savings.But security concerns have led organisations to be wary of moving critical resources to the Cloud. Businesses and individuals are concerned about how security and integrity of their data can be maintained in this new environment. Providers of Cloud Computing argue that they have in place security benefits which they offer to their customers who choose to move their data and information systems to the Cloud.

For more information on Cloud Computing watch this video entitled "Cloud Computing in Plain English":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txvGNDnKNWw

You are the ICT manager of a large organisation (1000 employees) based in Melbourne. Your supervisor has asked you to research Cloud Computing and write a report to be presented at the next executive meeting. You are required to prepare a report that explores:

1. The advantages and disadvantages to an organisation of using Cloud Computing, for example, the potential to reducecosts, the risk of making the organisation's data more vulnerable to hacking.

2. The security implications for staff and customers of the organisation.

3. The opportunities to grow the business using Cloud Computing.

Your report should include recommendations that provide guidelines for the organisation with respect to implementing Cloud Computing practices.