SSC Toolbox Social Source Commons Blog

Nonprofit Tech, Tools and Social Media

A program of Aspiration 
Aspiration 

Trust in the Cloud

anothercloud

Are you considering using the Cloud at your nonprofit organization? What are some implications of the use of the Cloud for nonprofits and social justice movements?

(Hold up, if first you want to get caught up on “What is the Cloud?“? Read from Mashable or LearnFree.)

Calling it “The Cloud” is misleading

The Cloud is sold as a nicely packaged solution to store your data in one secure place. The reality of our current Cloud use is different. Really, the Cloud is a densely fragmented patchwork of services, models, and tools that you use online to store, edit, and share information.

As technology users and consumers, and as social justice workers, we like to think about how storing and sharing information online may effect our organization or the people we serve.

We’ve put together a few thoughts over time. The following list is by no means all inclusive but hopefully presented as a path to start conversations. We are inspired to collaborate with you around the awareness of shared responsibility as activists using Cloud technologies.

Aspiration’s Cloud Considerations Checklist

1. Follow the Hollywood Marriage Rule

Technology relationships do not last forever. Technology changes. every. day. When selecting technology, think in terms of future seperations.

Questions to consider…

  • Can we get our data out?
  • Is our data really our data, or did we give it over to someone else?
  • Is our data secure?
  • Who else can see our data on this technology?

2. The Cloud offers real benefits, but much remains unsolved

Benefits Unresolved
Makes new collaborations possible
Increases availability of info
Improves efficieny in communciation
Allows for mobility
Maintaining unified online identity
Undetermined control of data
Unclear third party actors
Fuzzy open standards

3. Most cloud solutions are uniquely unleveraged relationships

Most cloud providers hold too many cards. They are uniquely leveraged in how much data they have and what they can do with it. Better checks and balances systems need to be put in place.

4. Your DATA is your digital power

Putting organizations files, contacts, and data in the cloud raises rather than lowers the stakes on protecting it. If it really matters, keep-up-to-date versions locally, along with Plan B.

5. The Cloud is in diapers

The idea of the cloud is still young. Don’t trailblaze or make big bets if you don’t have too. Rather, model on others’ success. Time will tell and teach.

Nonprofit Brainstorm: What’s in Your Cloud?

Before considering the Cloud or reviewing your current Cloud use, a good place to start is figuring out where you currenty put all your data as an organization. Start with these questions:

  • Where do you have accounts online?
  • Where do you put files online or contact information?
  • What internet services are you using to house your data?

When you start by taking an inventory of where you are at, you can get a real sense of where you stand rather than getting paranoid (or nihilistic) about your cloud use ;).

NptechReality

Thank you to Gunner for sharing his tips on the Cloud through many nonprofit technology trainings and inspiring the blog post. Thank you to Jessica Steimer for helping to get our data house in order.

Resources

What are other things to consider before putting your data in the cloud?

until next time,
misty



Connect with SSC


RSS Feed  Twitter  Facebook

Aspiration Publications