Cloud Database Development — The Basics - Beginning iOS Cloud and Database Development - page 9

Data is easier to access and manipulate with a cloud solution than without one. As we are usually
not far from Wi-Fi and cellular LTE networks, we have the ability to be online at almost all times.
In most cases, cloud services also reduce the reliance of individual users on computer specialists to
meet their data needs.
As stated earlier, cloud database management services allow multiple users to access the same
data resources. This capability is generally viewed as a benefit, but there are potential risks for the
organization. Some sources of information should be protected or secured and only viewed by select
individuals. Through the use of passwords and transport security, database management systems
can be used to restrict data access to only those who are authorized to see it.
The Disadvantages of a Cloud Database Management
System
There are two major downsides to using cloud database management systems. One of these is cost,
and the other is threat to data security.
Implementing a cloud database management system can be expensive and time-consuming,
especially in large organizations. Training requirements alone can be quite costly. This is where
I believe application developers like us can create unique experiences for the user to limit this
learning curve.
Even with the best safeguards in place, it may be possible for some unauthorized users to access
your database. In general, database access is an all or nothing proposition. Once an unauthorized
user gets into your database, he has access to all the files, not just a few. Depending on the
nature of the data involved, these breaches in security can also pose a threat to individual privacy.
Steps should always be taken to regularly make backup copies of the database files and store
them because of the possibility of fires and natural disasters that might destroy the system. This
is another reason to use a company such as Apple or Microsoft to manage these services so
you can concentrate on developing great applications and leave the management of the data to
someone else.
Summary
This topic is going to really need to be tied in to how iCloud comes out of the box and serves three
main features: consumer experience, backup, and availability.
The consumer is very used to having a good experience. By this I mean not replying to several alerts
and notifications that are just annoying for most. iCloud doesn't have to ask for passwords, it stores
them automatically. This happens in the background, so it is never an issue for the user.
Second, out of the box, we want to make sure that the backup of the data is always available and
done automatically because most users don't have that capability or know where to back up the
data. iCloud is a seamless integration with backups of user data.