Cloud Computing and SOA Convergence in Your Enterprise: A Step ...

When Cloud Computing Fits 187
processes, and data must be extensively changed. Further, as events and circumstances
evolve over time, any change to any architectural component demands
a corresponding change to the tightly coupled component as well.
When the Points of Integration Are Well Defined
Architectural components placed on cloud computing platforms should have
well-defined interfaces to integrate those components back to on-premise
components—services, data, or processes or complete applications made up of
those components. The architecture should also have the ability to link its
components to other cloud-based systems, such as infrastructure-as-a-service,
platform-as-a-service, and database-as-a-service. The better the point of integration
for an architectural component, the better that component can live in a
distributed world.
Anything placed on a cloud computing platform should have the ability
to be easily integrated with on-premise or other cloud computing–based systems
and thus with well-defined interfaces, such as APIs. Architects and developers
can then bind these systems leveraging loosely coupled integration
mechanisms, such as Web Services, and allowing them to seamlessly work together
to create a holistic architecture that supports the free flow of information
along with the ability to invoke services or bind them using processes. If
the interfaces are not well defined, then integration is more difficult, perhaps
even impossible, so placing them on cloud computing platforms will be less
than productive.
When a Lower Level of Security Will Work Just Fine
A lower level of security will work just fine when we are not placing highly
sensitive data on cloud computing platforms and thereby putting the business
at risk. This does not mean that cloud computing–based systems cannot
be secure, leveraging state-of-the-art security approaches, standards, and enabling
technology. However, considering sensitivity and compliance issues,
some information is not a good fit to exist outside of the firewall.
Some data, such as government secrets, are just too sensitive to be placed
on cloud computing platforms because those platforms, even those with a
high degree of security, are not wholly controlled by IT. You have to use your
own judgment, considering the information and the consequences if it were