Who is Kishor Panta?

1. What experiences or events in your life have had the most significant impact on shaping who you are today, both personally and professionally?
   

• My education has had the most impact on me. I moved to Mumbai with friends after finishing my mechanical engineering degree in Goa. Some of my friends moved on to better possibilities, so I returned to Nepal in 2000. I began teaching at Kathmandu College of Management, where I was involved with the Cisco Network Academic Program. These events, together with my schooling, had a significant impact on me.

2. How do you see data centers evolving in the context of cloud technology?

• Cloud computing and data centers are two distinct but related ideas. Cloud computing, as opposed to data centers, involves distributing computing services through the Internet. Not all data centers can host cloud services, and data centers are used in a variety of industries. Cloud computing has resulted in more spread and efficient data centers, similar to motorways for cars. The rise of the cloud forces data centers to become increasingly dispersed, virtualized, intelligent, and efficient.
  

3. Data security is a paramount concern in the cloud era. How do you ensure the safety and confidentiality of sensitive data within your company?

• Data security is critical in the cloud era because firms face dangers such as data breaches and manipulation. Our ISO-certified organization follows international IT service and information security management requirements. ISO/IEC 20000-1 defines IT service management practices, while ISO 27001 ensures a safe information management system. These certifications ensure the security and dependability of data.

4. Data center energy efficiency is a growing concern. What steps have you taken to optimize energy consumption and reduce the environmental impact of your company?

• Concerns are growing about data centers’ increasing energy use. Despite attempts, rising data processing and storage demand raises energy use. Due to complications, improving data efficiency remains a challenge. Many businesses, including ours, struggle to maximize energy use due to practical challenges and high electricity costs.

5. Can you share any recent projects or technologies your company has implemented to improve cloud services?
   

• Customers have received help from us to make their apps cloud-compatible. A financial cloud is being created, with a focus on cloud-based services. Applications that are not cloud-ready provide difficulties. Apps for customer assistance are part of our project, along with a framework for simple app migration. Complete cloud banking integration is the end goal.

6. As cloud usage increases, scalability becomes crucial. How do you ensure that your company’s infrastructure is scalable enough to meet the growing demands of cloud-based applications and services?

• We calculated the three-year data processing needs and looked to meet expectations for the data center location while adjusting capacity. Scalability is being taken into account in the planning for a new data center over a ten-year period. Two readily available data centers were used. The company wants to expand outside of Kathmandu to the rest of Nepal within the next five years, offering on-demand cloud computing for efficient IT growth.
  

7. Compliance and regulatory requirements can vary across industries and regions. How does your company ensure compliance with relevant standards and regulations in the cloud environment?

• Compliance requirements vary by industry due to the diverse laws and regulatory frameworks in different places. Our company adheres to international standards while focusing on the local market to make compliance easier. Local markets could have looser regulations than other places, which aids in managing compliance. 

8. Data redundancy and disaster recovery are vital aspects of cloud infrastructure. Could you explain the redundancy measures you have in place and how you handle potential data loss scenarios?

• Important components of cloud infrastructure are data redundancy and disaster recovery. In order to assure accessibility in the event of a breakdown, data redundancy entails storing data in numerous locations. Data and system restoration following calamities is referred to as disaster recovery. Our strategy is for using all Nepali data centers, including those in Kathmandu, to provide services based on the criticality of the data. Depending on customer requirements, we use Azure and AWS, and before installation, we get the client’s approval.

9. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are playing an increasing role in data center management. How is your data center leveraging these technologies to enhance efficiency and performance?

• That is accurate, yes. Machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) are playing an increasingly important role in data center management. With these technologies, it is possible to automate operations, boost efficacy, and improve performance. We are not, however, currently utilizing any kind of AI. These days, artificial intelligence is something that everyone wants to use in everything. Currently, we are unaware of how to use artificial intelligence. It might be useful to our company in ten to fifteen years, but not right now. Although we are unable to discuss the precise application at this time, we do employ AI tools for some aspects of our reporting and data collection.
  

10. Could you share an example of a challenging situation where your company played a crucial role in ensuring the success of a cloud-based project?

Our business had difficulties in helping customers switch from traditional software to a cloud-based solution. We advised moving to the cloud in 2016 to make things simple. Local services are still crucial, but the pandemic improved comprehension of the cloud. Although teaching clients how to use the cloud was difficult, cloud-stored data made responsibility and access easier. It was difficult to get clients to believe in and use the cloud. Moving the platform to the Intel platform is still a difficulty.

11. With the rise of edge computing, data centers are becoming more distributed. How is your company adapting to support edge computing requirements while maintaining centralized control?

• Adoption of data centers has been sparked by the advent of edge computing. For better speed and real-time processing, edge computing includes spreading computation and storage closer to the network edge. The objective is to provide cloud services to provinces from a main hub in Kathmandu. In accordance with a five-year dispersion plan, implementation has started in Birtamod and Biratnagar based on utility and customer needs.

12. Data privacy is a concern for many cloud users. What measures does your company have in place to protect the privacy of customer data and comply with data protection laws?

• Users of the cloud are very concerned about data security because they worry about unlawful access from employees or other tenants. In industries including healthcare, banking, and government, this concern is prevalent. To protect the private information of our clients that has been entrusted to us, we emphasize data privacy and adhere to international laws.

13. How do you keep your company staff updated with the latest skills and knowledge required to manage cutting-edge cloud infrastructure?

• Our commitment to human resource development includes hiring young graduates and placing a focus on internship programs. We provide training in sales, marketing, and new technologies by working with colleges like Thames, Islington, Prime, and Kantipur City College. Teams of interns with similar expertise, such as security, networking, and systems, are formed. This continuing work promotes the development of competency.

14. What advice would you give to organizations planning to migrate their data and applications to the cloud for the first time?

• Although moving programs and data to the cloud has benefits. The procedure is made simpler by gradual migration, security emphasis, and beginning with minor jobs. The migration plan is guided by specific goals like cost savings. Effective resource management and cost reduction eliminate unforeseen costs. Tools for monitoring assure efficient cloud usage.

15. Has the government helped with anything regarding what you and your company are doing? What contribution do you think the government should make regarding this subject?

• Although the government hasn’t directly subsidized data centers, legislation has safeguarded intellectual property and data security. It might do this by supporting research, enacting safeguards, and providing incentives for edge computing and data centers. Transparency and co-location are priorities. In order to improve society and workplace practices, the government’s responsibility involves guaranteeing secure and responsible edge computing and data center implementation.

16. Lastly, what do you want our readers to know about cloud computing and its importance?

• Cloud computing, which includes servers, storage, databases, software, and more, provides various computer services over the Internet. Users who read online come across cloud technologies. Users and data centers both contribute to the security and privacy of data. It is essential and everyone has a responsibility to maintain account security. All users should be aware of data privacy tools and services.