How standardized Utility Cloud Services and Service - oriented Architecture benefits in Public Protection and Disaster Relief ?

All emergency response service providers in developed countries are using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools and technologies. Recent studies shows majority of the public protection and disaster relief (PPDR) organizations are using ICT services in very heterogeneous and customized delivery methods. Many organizations have tailored processes, contracts and technologies. PPDR organizations are lacking supporting infrastructure and expertise hence ICT services are managed by internal and external suppliers. On other side, ICT field is going through constant innovations as a process of evaluation in technologies. Cutting-edge technologies including cloud computing, utility computing and service-oriented architecture (SOA) can be beneficial in emergency response services. Advancement in these technologies is constantly bringing various challenges. This paper is investigating use of utility cloud services and serviceoriented architecture in public protection and disaster relief operations. The paper studies and compares cloud and utility computing the context of ICT services. The paper is also investigating design principles of service-oriented architecture to leverage benefits in PPDR. The study argues that all processes, technologies and contracts in utility computing and service-oriented architecture should be standardized to leverage the full benefits of these innovative technologies in PPDR. Further, it also discusses and describes the benefits and disadvantages of standardization and lack of standardization respectively. Keywords— ICT Services, Cloud Computing, Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA), Utility Computing, Utility Cloud Service, Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR)