Today, if someone wanted to attack places as important as Fort Knox, they would look at the giant data centers of big companies, such as Amazon, Google, Meta and Microsoft. Taking down these centers would require a very extreme plan, similar to what Goldfinger had thought of. They are like strongholds equipped with multiple layers of security—ranging from barriers and gated entries that resemble airlocks, to advanced biometric identification systems.

A lot of people depend on Cloud technology and they will need it even more in future. Although the Cloud is amazing, it is still not fully developed. There is more and more data being created and we need to study it. Storing this data and analysing it is done mostly using the Cloud now. Hospitals use the Cloud to look at patients’ files and share medical tests. Governments use it for elections, public services and emergency warnings. The worldwide money system—such as bank transfers and stock market trading—depends more and more on it.

Cloud computing spreads things out, so there is no one place that has all the important data. There is also no single cable that connects the whole of the Internet and no single hack can destroy everyone’s money or turn off everyone’s lights. But, as the Internet becomes a bigger part of everyday life, making sure it is safe will be very important.

People around the world are likely to spend more than $200 billion on cyber security in 2024. A lot of this money will go towards keeping Cloud servers safe from physical harm and hackers—even from those who might get inside secure buildings. Every Google worker has a special device they need to use to log in.

Considering that the Internet started as a project by the American military, called ARPANET, it is not expected that security was not a key part of its original design. ARPANET, which started two years after ‘Goldfinger’ was released, aimed at creating a system where data could be sent in small packets between computers at different military-funded research places. Later on, the goal was to have many different paths in the network so it could keep working even if there was a nuclear attack.

The main aim of ARPANET was not to protect the data in the system. When ARPANET evolved into the early Internet, which was more about academic use, the enthusiastic grad students who had helped it grow were more interested in making a network that was open and easy for everyone to use. It was not until web browsers were sold in the mid-1990s that the Internet got a method to secure data, confirm server identities and ensure that data was not altered. This method quickly became old and got replaced and this cycle of updating is still on.

Besides trying to steal data, hackers can also aim to disable the systems that spread it. On October 10, 2023, big companies, such as Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, Microsoft and CloudFlare, which provides CDN services, revealed that they had been hit by a massive cyber attack in August and September. Google experienced 398 million data requests per second during this two-minute attack, which is over 4,000 times their usual rate of search queries and 7.5 times bigger than the biggest known attack before.

The fact that the services targeted managed to survive the attack is just one more reason why the Internet is moving towards a more unified business model. This means that companies are involved in every aspect of the Internet—from the physical infrastructure, such as cables and servers, to the applications that people use. This trend benefits big companies because their large size enables them to withstand—and respond to—attacks more effectively than smaller ones.

Imagine the Cloud as a huge network of computers and servers that stores and processes information. As this Cloud network grows, the companies that are already big and powerful in the Cloud industry will continue to get even bigger. To stay ahead, big tech companies are investing a lot of money in improving the Cloud. They are making it faster and more reliable by bringing computing power closer to where it is needed, like having small data centers in different locations. This helps information to be accessed quickly and smoothly.

These companies are also exploring new technologies, such as using light instead of electricity, which can make the Cloud even faster and more efficient. This shift from electronics to photonics is a significant advancement. Moreover, these companies are investing in renewable energy sources to power their data centres. This not only helps them provide reliable services, but also reduces their impact on the environment.

In simple terms, big tech companies are spending a lot of money to make the Cloud network better and more powerful. They are making it faster, more efficient and environmentally friendly. Because of their investments and advancements, they will continue to dominate the Cloud industry and experience even more growth in future.

The process of handling and processing data for individuals, companies and governments is becoming larger and more widespread. As the infrastructure improves and allows for better distribution of computing power, the companies working behind the scenes will continue to grow larger and become more influential. In developed countries, there is a shift towards using renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power. This, along with implementing energy-efficient technologies in various sectors, allows the economy to continue growing without relying heavily on traditional energy sources, such as fossil fuels.

For instance, let us consider a manufacturing company that used to rely on energy-intensive machinery powered by fossil fuels. However, with advancements in technology, the company decides to invest in energy-efficient equipment and switch to renewable energy sources. As a result, they can maintain—or even increase—their production levels while reducing energy consumption.

This not only helps the company save on energy costs, but also reduces its carbon footprint, contributing to environmental sustainability. Despite using less energy, the company can still achieve economic growth through improved production and efficiency gains. This demonstrates how technological advancements and efficiency improvements can decouple economic growth from energy consumption in developed countries.

In future, we may have incredibly powerful computers and devices that can handle any task effortlessly. This would eliminate the frustrations of slow and struggling devices. However, it will still take many decades to reach this level of abundant computational power. Significant advancements in technology are needed to make this a reality.

During this time, the virtual world of human and artificial thinking and communication will depend on continuous investment and creativity from those who develop and support it. Consider the creators of social media platforms and video games, for instance. They consistently strive to introduce new features, enhance performance and make virtual experiences more immersive and enjoyable.

Although we do not have unlimited computational power yet, dedicated individuals are working tirelessly behind the scenes to enhance our digital experiences. They invest their resources, time and creativity to ensure that the virtual world keeps progressing and effectively meets our evolving needs. (IPA Service)