Government cloud computing: requirements, specification and design of a cloud-computing environment for police and law enforcement
Year: 2012
Type: dissertation
Abstract: ENGELSK: As the amount of information found at digital forensic crime scenes increases each year,\nconventional methods for evidence handling and analysis come under pressure to perform\nat a sufficient level. New techniques are needed to meet this demand, and cloud\ncomputing is a possible solution. However, little has been done to explore this possibility.\nCloud computing uses the combined power of multiple servers to create a resource pool,\nwhich can then be divided between the cloud’s users based on their need for computing\nresources. Such features could prove to be very useful for digital forensic analysis\napplications.\nTo explore the possibilities of a governmental cloud-computing environment, the benefits\nand drawbacks of such an implementation have been studied. A qualitative approach\nwas used to explore and discuss the individual drawbacks and benefits for possible\ncloud deployment models. The thesis continues with a study of the requirements\nfor cloud implementations for law enforcement. Here, a guide for creating such requirements\nwas created. Finally, the requirements guide was tested using Microsoft Operations\nFramework, a project management methodology. This was done to explore the usability\nof the guide.\nThe results from the study of benefits and drawbacks show that the private cloud deployment\nmodel currently is the most promising alternative for law enforcement implementations.\nThe results also state that conventional environments remain a good choice,\nand often preferable to cloud environments given their predictability and potential for\nsound security. However, we believe that this result will change to favour the cloud as\nthe technology gradually matures.\nDuring the second part of the thesis, an elaborate collection of requirements for\nthe planning of a governmental cloud-computing environment was created. This covers,\namongst other things, legal, compliance and structural demands. The requirements\nguide will enable a project to focus on cloud-specific issues, thereby limiting the potential\nfor failure during such projects.\nFinally, the requirements guide has been tested using the Microsoft Operations Framework\nto prove its applicability. The steps in the guide were successfully integrated into\nthe Microsoft methodology, thereby shifting its focus towards cloud issues.\nWe believe that the results presented in this thesis will both provide a clearer picture\nof the latent possibilities of cloud computing in our day and time, and aid coming projects\nto focus on the cloud-specific issues.
Author: Andreas Tellefsen
Language: English
Subfield: Information Systems
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2474684029