Features of cloud storage Exam Questions

Award one mark for each correct way, up to a maximum of two marks from:

• View patient records/flight plans at any time/outside office hours
• Access files from anywhere with an internet connection
• Update/share records during a call-out/in real time
• Respond to emergencies without waiting for office hours
• Work at night/weekends
• Check information while travelling/on the move
• Share information with hospitals/other staff at any time

Do not accept: answers about cost/scalability (e.g. only paying for the storage used) or unlimited storage, as these are not about 24/7 availability

Accept any other appropriate response.

Award one mark for each correct benefit, up to a maximum of two marks from:

• Files are kept the same/up to date on all devices
• Changes made on one device are copied to the cloud and the other devices
• Staff can start work on one device and carry on using another
• Files can be edited offline and synchronised when the device is back online
• Staff do not have to copy/upload files between devices manually

Do not accept: available 24/7 or extra storage, as these are other features of cloud storage, not benefits of synchronisation

Accept any other appropriate response.

Award one mark for each correct benefit, up to a maximum of two marks from:

• Staff can access files at any time/from anywhere, including when working remotely/from home
• Visitors can book/check bookings at any time/outside opening hours
• Staff can upload/download images of the night sky when needed
• Researchers in other time zones/countries can access the data
• Staff can work at times that suit them/outside normal working hours

Do not accept: synchronisation, file sharing or scalability, as these are not 24/7 availability

Accept any other appropriate response.

Award one mark for a correct benefit and one mark for a justification for that benefit, up to a maximum of two marks.

• Files changed on one device are updated on the company's other devices (1) so staff always work on the latest version of a file (1)
• Footage recorded on a tablet is uploaded to the cloud automatically (1) so it appears on an editor's laptop without being copied by hand (1)
• A copy of files is held on each device and in the cloud (1) so staff can carry on working offline and the changes sync when the device reconnects (1)
• Files are synchronised across devices (1) which saves staff time as they do not need to email files to themselves (1)
• The same version of a file is available on every device (1) which stops staff editing an out-of-date copy (1)

Allow mix and match if it makes sense

Allow a justification that states the effect, e.g. staff always have the latest version or it saves the crew time

Do not accept: files can be accessed anywhere/24/7 on its own, as this is availability, not synchronisation

Accept any other appropriate wording/phrasing

Award one mark for a correct benefit and one mark for a justification for that benefit, up to a maximum of two marks.

• Customers can bid at any time of day or night (1) so the auction house does not lose sales when its office is closed (1)
• The website and auction data stay online all the time (1) so customers are not stopped from bidding outside office hours (1)
• Staff can check auction information from home (1) so they can answer customer enquiries whenever they receive them (1)
• Listings can be updated at any time (1) so bidders in other time zones see current information (1)
• The service is available whenever customers want to use it (1) which gives the company more chances to make sales (1)

Do not accept: answers about security or backups, as these are not availability

Accept any other appropriate wording/phrasing

Award one mark for a correct benefit and one mark for a justification for that benefit, up to a maximum of two marks.

• The brewery can rent/increase its storage for the busy Christmas period (1) so it does not run out of space for its orders (1)
• The brewery can reduce/free the storage it no longer needs (1) so it only pays for what it uses and saves money (1)
• Storage can be increased or decreased quickly (1) so the brewery can respond to changes in demand (1)
• The brewery only pays for the amount of storage it uses (1) which is cheaper than buying servers that sit unused for most of the year (1)
• Extra storage can be added as orders grow (1) so the company does not need to buy extra hardware of its own (1)

Allow mix and match if it makes sense

Do not accept: collaboration/sharing files, 24/7 access or unlimited storage, as these are not scalability

Accept any other appropriate wording/phrasing

Award one mark for a correct benefit, one mark for a justification for that benefit and one mark for an expansion of the justification, up to a maximum of three marks.

• Staff can access files at any time (1) because cloud storage is always available (1) so instructors can check pupil records between lessons (1)
• Pupils can book lessons outside office hours (1) as the service can be used day or night (1) which may increase the number of bookings (1)
• Staff can work from home in the evening (1) because they can reach the files with an internet connection (1) so records are kept up to date (1)
• The company can update its records during the night (1) because the storage does not close (1) so customers see correct lesson details the next morning (1)

Do not allow mix and match

Do not accept: 'available on Wi-Fi' or answers about scalability or sharing files

Accept any other appropriate wording/phrasing.

Award one mark for a correct benefit, one mark for a justification for that benefit, and one mark for an expansion of the justification, up to a maximum of three marks.

• The company can store more images during busy events (1) by renting extra storage (1) so it can keep all the images from each event (1)
• The company can save money in quieter months (1) by freeing storage it no longer needs (1) so it only pays for what it uses (1)
• The company does not need to buy extra hardware (1) because storage is rented from the provider (1) so it can cope with a sudden increase in data (1)

Do not allow mix and match

Do not accept: answers about 24/7 access or sharing files; these are different features.

Accept any other appropriate wording/phrasing.

Award one mark for a correct way access rights could be set to protect the data, one mark for a justification for that way and one mark for an expansion of the justification, up to a maximum of three marks.

• Set read-only access for actors (1) so they can view the scripts but not edit them (1) which stops the master script being changed by mistake (1)
• Give full control only to the managers (1) so other staff cannot delete ticket sales data (1) which stops the group losing its sales records (1)
• Share the ticket sales folder only with named staff by their email address (1) so only those people can open it (1) which stops outsiders seeing customer details (1)
• Set read/write access for backstage staff (1) so they can update the rehearsal schedule but not the scripts (1) which stops the wrong file being changed (1)
• Give actors no access to the ticket sales folder (1) so they cannot open it (1) which protects customers' personal data (1)

Do not allow mix and match

Do not accept: answers about passwords or two-factor authentication

Accept any other appropriate wording/phrasing.

A description of how access rights are set and shared in cloud storage. To include three from

• The owner/a user with full control sets the access right for each user (1) such as read only or read/write (1)
• Read only access (1) allows a user to view the file but not change it (1)
• Read/write access (1) allows a user to view and edit the file (1)
• Full control (1) allows a user to change the access rights of others/delete the file (1)
• A private link/URL (1) can be sent to someone outside the company so that only they can open the file (1)
• Several users can be given access to the same file (1) so they can edit it at the same time (1)

Do not accept: setting a password or using two-factor authentication, as these are ways of restricting access, not access rights.

Do not allow mix and match between the access right and what it allows.

Accept any other appropriate wording/phrasing.

A description of how synchronisation works between cloud storage and individual devices. To include three from

• Files saved in the cloud are copied/downloaded (1) to every device signed in to the account (1)
• A change made on one device is uploaded to the cloud (1) and then sent/downloaded to the other devices (1)
• This happens automatically (1) when the device is connected to the internet (1)
• Every device ends up with the same/latest version of the file (1) as the change replaces the older copy on each device (1)

Do not accept: answers about staff working on the same document at the same time, as this is collaboration/cloud computing and not synchronisation; saying the files are stored in the cloud on its own.

Accept any other appropriate wording/phrasing.

A description of how 24/7 availability of cloud storage helps the company. To include three from

• Staff can access the files at any time (1) day or night/outside office hours (1)
• The cloud service is always running (1) so the data is there whenever staff need it (1)
• An engineer can get the customer's details straight away on a call-out (1) so the job is not delayed until the office reopens (1)
• The company does not need its own servers/office computers switched on (1) for staff to get the data (1)

Do not accept: answers about scalability, such as renting more storage, as these are not about availability.

Accept any other appropriate response.

Award one mark for each correct benefit and one mark for a justification of each benefit, up to a maximum of four marks.

• More storage can be rented/added when it is needed (1) so the company only pays for the storage it uses (1)
• Storage can be reduced/freed when it is no longer needed (1) which saves the company money (1)
• The company can increase or decrease its storage whenever its needs change (1) so it can cope with busy periods without delay/having to order new hardware (1)
• There is no need to buy extra hardware/servers (1) as the provider supplies the storage/the company does not pay for equipment it may never use (1)
• The company does not need IT staff to add more storage (1) as the provider increases the storage for them (1)

Do not accept: answers about collaboration

Allow mix and match if the response makes sense

Only award once for the same benefit, e.g. renting more storage and adding storage for the summer count as one benefit

Accept any other appropriate wording/phrasing

Award one mark for each correct way and one mark for a justification of each way, up to a maximum of four marks.

• Set read-only access (1) so a volunteer can view the scripts but cannot change or delete them (1)
• Give read/write (edit) access (1) so a member of staff can change a file but cannot decide who else it is shared with (1)
• Give full control (1) so a manager can change a file and also change who else can open it (1)
• Send a private link/URL to a file (1) so only the person it is sent to can open it (1)
• Set the access rights on a folder/file (1) so everything inside it is shared with the same people (1)
• Remove/change a person's access rights (1) so a volunteer who no longer needs the scripts cannot open them (1)

Do not accept: passwords

Allow mix and match if the response makes sense

Accept any other appropriate wording/phrasing

Award one mark for each correct way and one mark for a justification of each way, up to a maximum of four marks.

• Photos taken on a phone or camera are copied to the photographer's other devices automatically (1) so they can start editing on a laptop without transferring the files (1)
• Changes made to a file on one device are updated on all the photographer's devices (1) so they always have the latest version of the photos (1)
• Work can be done offline on a local copy (1) so the photographer can carry on editing without an internet connection (1)
• Files do not need to be sent by email or moved on a memory stick (1) which saves the photographers time (1)
• A copy of the photos is kept in the cloud as well as on the devices (1) so the photos are not lost if a device is lost or damaged (1)

Allow mix and match if the response makes sense

Do not accept: answers about 24/7 availability, as this is not synchronisation

Accept any other appropriate wording/phrasing

Responses will be credited according to the learner's demonstration of knowledge and understanding of the material, using the indicative content and level descriptors below.

The indicative content that follows is not prescriptive. Responses may cover some or all indicative content, but learners should be rewarded for other responses.

Discussion may consider

• Files saved on one device are copied to the cloud and then to the other devices automatically – a script edited on a laptop is on an actor's phone without anyone sending it
• Everyone works from the latest version – the cast and crew see the same updated rehearsal schedule, so nobody works from an old draft
• Changes made by one person appear on everyone's devices – a change to the running order made by the stage manager is seen by the whole company
• Saves time before a tour – staff do not have to copy files onto USB sticks or email documents to each other
• Works on the move – an actor can read an updated script on a tablet on the tour bus, and the device catches up when it reconnects
• Version history – an earlier version of a script can be restored if a file is changed by mistake
• A copy is always held in the cloud – if a phone or laptop is lost or damaged during a tour, the files are not lost
• Can work on a local copy offline – the changes synchronise when the device gets an internet connection again at the venue

Levels

• Level 0 (0 marks): No rewardable content
• Level 1 (1–2 marks): Demonstrates isolated elements of knowledge and understanding; there will be major gaps or omissions; Few of the points made will be relevant to the context in the question; Limited discussion which contains generic assertions rather than considering different aspects and the relationship between them
• Level 2 (3–4 marks): Demonstrates some accurate knowledge and understanding; with only minor gaps or omissions; Some of the points made will be relevant to the context in the question, but the link will not always be clear; Displays a partially developed discussion which considers some different aspects and some consideration of how they interrelate, but not always in a sustained way
• Level 3 (5–6 marks): Demonstrates mostly accurate and thorough/detailed knowledge and understanding; Most of the points made will be relevant to the context in the question, and there will be clear links; Displays a well-developed and logical discussion which clearly considers a range of different aspects and considers how they interrelate, in a sustained way

Responses will be credited according to the learner's demonstration of knowledge and understanding of the material, using the indicative content and level descriptors below.

The indicative content that follows is not prescriptive. Responses may cover some or all indicative content, but learners should be rewarded for other responses.

Discussion may consider

• Incidents can be reported as they happen – a volunteer on a night patrol can log a sighting straight away instead of waiting for the office to open
• Records can be checked at any hour – volunteers working from home or at a lookout point can open the files whenever they need them
• Rescue teams get the latest reports – they can see what has already been logged before they respond, day or night
• Shift handover is easier – the day team can read what was logged overnight, so nothing is missed
• Reports can be added during an incident – everyone sees the same up-to-date record while it is still happening
• Volunteers can fit patrols around work – those only free in the evening can still check and add to the records

Levels

• Level 0 (0 marks): No rewardable content
• Level 1 (1–2 marks): Demonstrates isolated elements of knowledge and understanding; there will be major gaps or omissions; Few of the points made will be relevant to the context in the question; Limited discussion which contains generic assertions rather than considering different aspects and the relationship between them
• Level 2 (3–4 marks): Demonstrates some accurate knowledge and understanding; with only minor gaps or omissions; Some of the points made will be relevant to the context in the question, but the link will not always be clear; Displays a partially developed discussion which considers some different aspects and some consideration of how they interrelate, but not always in a sustained way
• Level 3 (5–6 marks): Demonstrates mostly accurate and thorough/detailed knowledge and understanding; Most of the points made will be relevant to the context in the question, and there will be clear links; Displays a well-developed and logical discussion which clearly considers a range of different aspects and considers how they interrelate, in a sustained way

Responses will be credited according to the learner’s demonstration of knowledge and understanding of the material, using the indicative content and level descriptors below.

The indicative content that follows is not prescriptive. Responses may cover some or all indicative content, but learners should be rewarded for other responses.

Discussion may consider

• Extra storage can be rented as soon as a fundraising campaign starts – volunteers can upload interviews and live sessions without waiting for new hard drives or servers to be bought and installed
• More space can be added quickly for a large outside broadcast – the station can agree to cover an event at short notice instead of turning it down
• Storage can be rented only for as long as a campaign lasts – once the recordings are edited and broadcast the space is freed
• Freeing unwanted space reduces the monthly bill – the station is not paying for capacity it no longer needs between campaigns
• Costs can rise and fall with the station’s workload – this makes budgeting easier for a community station with an uncertain income
• The station does not have to buy and maintain its own servers – money saved can be spent on studio equipment or programme making

Accept any other relevant response

Levels

• Level 0 (0 marks): No rewardable content
• Level 1 (1–2 marks): Demonstrates isolated elements of knowledge and understanding; there will be major gaps or omissions; Few of the points made will be relevant to the context in the question; Limited discussion which contains generic assertions rather than considering different aspects and the relationship between them
• Level 2 (3–4 marks): Demonstrates some accurate knowledge and understanding; with only minor gaps or omissions; Some of the points made will be relevant to the context in the question, but the link will not always be clear; Displays a partially developed discussion which considers some different aspects and some consideration of how they interrelate, but not always in a sustained way
• Level 3 (5–6 marks): Demonstrates mostly accurate and thorough/detailed knowledge and understanding; Most of the points made will be relevant to the context in the question, and there will be clear links; Displays a well-developed and logical discussion which clearly considers a range of different aspects and considers how they interrelate, in a sustained way

Responses will be credited according to the learner's demonstration of knowledge and understanding of the material, using the indicative content and level descriptors below.

The indicative content that follows is not prescriptive. Responses may cover some or all indicative content, but learners should be rewarded for other responses.

Evaluation may consider

Benefits

• Records available in the evening or at weekends – so volunteers on different shifts can deal with urgent referrals without waiting for the office to open.
• Staff can update records from home – so stock levels and referral forms are current whenever someone needs them.
• The cloud provider keeps the service running – so the food bank does not need its own server to be available day and night.
• Records can be reached on a phone while out collecting donations – so a volunteer can check stock before promising items to a client.

Drawbacks

• An internet connection is still needed – if the food bank's connection fails, the records cannot be reached even though the service is available.
• The provider may have maintenance or an outage – access can stop at a time when a referral is urgent.
• Referral forms may be opened on an unprotected device or in a public place – so client information could be seen by others.

Levels

• Level 0 (0 marks): No rewardable material
• Level 1 (1–2 marks): Demonstrates isolated elements of knowledge and understanding; there will be major gaps or omissions; Few of the points made will be relevant to the context in the question; Limited evaluation which contains generic assertions leading to a conclusion which is partially supported
• Level 2 (3–4 marks): Demonstrates some accurate knowledge and understanding; with only minor gaps or omissions; Some of the points made will be relevant to the context in the question, but the link will not always be clear; Displays a partially developed evaluation which considers some different competing points, although not always in detail, leading to a conclusion which is partially supported
• Level 3 (5–6 marks): Demonstrates mostly accurate and thorough/detailed knowledge and understanding; Most of the points made will be relevant to the context in the question, and there will be clear links; Displays a well-developed and logical evaluation which clearly considers a range of different aspects and competing points, leading to a conclusion that is fully supported

Responses will be credited according to the learner's demonstration of knowledge and understanding of the material, using the indicative content and level descriptors below.

The indicative content that follows is not prescriptive. Responses may cover some or all indicative content, but learners should be rewarded for other responses.

Evaluation may consider

Benefits

• Storage can be increased quickly for the winter season – extra space can be rented without buying and installing new hardware.
• The centre pays only for the extra storage it needs – costs are lower than buying a large system for the whole year.
• Storage can be reduced or freed in summer – the centre stops paying for space it no longer uses and saves money.
• A free allowance may be available – a small centre could start without paying and rent more as bookings grow.

Drawbacks

• Renting extra storage is an ongoing cost – the monthly charge continues while the extra space is needed.
• Costs can rise as records grow – more bookings and lesson files may mean renting more space over time.
• The free allowance may be limited – the centre may have to start paying sooner than expected.
• Staff time may be needed to delete old files – clearing space takes time and records must be managed.

Levels

• Level 0 (0 marks): No rewardable material
• Level 1 (1–2 marks): Demonstrates isolated elements of knowledge and understanding; there will be major gaps or omissions; Few of the points made will be relevant to the context in the question; Limited evaluation which contains generic assertions leading to a conclusion which is partially supported
• Level 2 (3–4 marks): Demonstrates some accurate knowledge and understanding; with only minor gaps or omissions; Some of the points made will be relevant to the context in the question, but the link will not always be clear; Displays a partially developed evaluation which considers some different competing points, although not always in detail, leading to a conclusion which is partially supported
• Level 3 (5–6 marks): Demonstrates mostly accurate and thorough/detailed knowledge and understanding; Most of the points made will be relevant to the context in the question, and there will be clear links; Displays a well-developed and logical evaluation which clearly considers a range of different aspects and competing points, leading to a conclusion that is fully supported

Responses will be credited according to the learner's demonstration of knowledge and understanding of the material, using the indicative content and level descriptors below.

The indicative content that follows is not prescriptive. Responses may cover some or all indicative content, but learners should be rewarded for other responses.

Evaluation may consider

Access rights for staff

• Physiotherapists given read/write access to patient notes – so they can view and update treatment records but cannot change permissions.
• Receptionists given read-only access to appointments and invoices – so they can book patients without changing clinical notes.
• Practice manager given full control – so they can add or remove users and set permissions when staff join or leave.
• Access set by role rather than file by file – so each member of staff only sees what their job needs, reducing the chance of records being changed or seen by mistake.
• Rights set too tightly, e.g. physiotherapists unable to update notes – this slows treatment and staff may share logins to get round it, while rights set too loosely risk patient information being changed or viewed.

Sharing files

• A patient sent a private link with read-only access to their exercise plan – they can view it but cannot change the practice's copy.
• Files not shared with a public link – anyone who had the link could open patient information.
• Access removed when a patient finishes treatment or a member of staff leaves – so an old link or account cannot be used to open records later.

Levels

• Level 0 (0 marks): No rewardable material
• Level 1 (1–2 marks): Demonstrates isolated elements of knowledge and understanding; there will be major gaps or omissions; Few of the points made will be relevant to the context in the question; Limited evaluation which contains generic assertions leading to a conclusion which is partially supported
• Level 2 (3–4 marks): Demonstrates some accurate knowledge and understanding; with only minor gaps or omissions; Some of the points made will be relevant to the context in the question, but the link will not always be clear; Displays a partially developed evaluation which considers some different competing points, although not always in detail, leading to a conclusion which is partially supported
• Level 3 (5–6 marks): Demonstrates mostly accurate and thorough/detailed knowledge and understanding; Most of the points made will be relevant to the context in the question, and there will be clear links; Displays a well-developed and logical evaluation which clearly considers a range of different aspects and competing points, leading to a conclusion that is fully supported