Cloud computing is seen as the future of the Internet. But what is it?
Simply speaking, cloud computing means storing, accessing, and processing data and programs over the Internet instead of on your hard drive.
And at the Tencent Cloud+Future Forum on Tuesday, Ma Huateng, one of the most powerful men in China's tech industry, gave some insight on the future, saying that cloud computing and artificial intelligence will be the most important infrastructure of the digital economy.
He said, "Cloud computing will the prime power of industrial evolution. Cloud computing plus artificial intelligence is equal to electricity plus computers. But now we are still at the very early stages of this revolution."
Indeed, Ma's vision is gradually turning into reality. A real-time system that can show all the public information in Shenzhen city has already been developed.
According to Zhang Guo, program manager of the Raydata system, it includes information from the governments and some companies, like the police, tax, and healthcare. It can provide real-time traffic info, hospital registrations, and other details for the users.
But the recent Wannacry ransomware outbreak which attacked over 100 countries put cybersecurity center stage. It raised the question of whether data will be safer on the cloud rather than storing it on your own computer?
Li Wei, Vice President of Tencent Cloud, said: "If on the cloud, the platform will provide you better early warning, security guarantees and bug fixes. If we were to look back at this question in ten years, it's like asking which way is safer: putting your money in the bank or in your own house."
But Li admits there are two main concerns in cloud security: "The first is whether the researchers or developers have done enough to fix security loopholes. The second is the threat of the dark industry and hackers around the globe."
To better protect your data and privacy, Li said a big and reliable platform is always a better option.
