Cloud computing is the on-demand availability of computing resources as services over the internet¹. It eliminates the need for enterprises to procure, configure, or manage resources themselves, and they only pay for what they use. There are three types of cloud computing service models: infrastructure as a service (IaaS) offers compute and storage services, platform as a service (PaaS) offers a develop-and-deploy environment to build cloud apps, and software as a service (SaaS) delivers apps as services.

Cloud computing works by using a network (most often, the internet) to connect users to a cloud platform where they request and access rented computing services¹. A central server handles all the communication between client devices and servers to facilitate the exchange of data. Security and privacy features are common components to keep this information secure and safe¹.

Cloud computing offers various benefits, such as:

• Cost: Cloud computing eliminates the capital expense of buying hardware and software and setting up and running on-site data centers. It also reduces the operating costs by offering scalable and flexible resources that can be adjusted according to demand².
• Speed: Cloud computing services are provided self-service and on-demand, so even vast amounts of computing resources can be provisioned in minutes, typically with just a few mouse clicks².
• Global scale: Cloud computing services run on a worldwide network of secure data centers, which are regularly upgraded to the latest generation of fast and efficient computing hardware. This offers reduced network latency for applications and greater economies of scale².
• Productivity: Cloud computing removes the need for many IT management chores, such as hardware setup, software patching, and other time-consuming tasks. This allows IT teams to spend time on achieving more important business goals².
• Performance: Cloud computing services deliver high performance and reliability by using advanced technologies and methods, such as load balancing, caching, distributed systems, fault tolerance, etc.³
• Reliability: Cloud computing makes data backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity easier and less expensive because data can be mirrored at multiple redundant sites on the cloud provider’s network².
• Security: Cloud computing services offer a broad set of policies, technologies, and controls that strengthen the security posture of the data, apps, and infrastructure from potential threats. These include encryption, firewalls, identity and access management, etc.²

There are different types of cloud computing deployment models, such as:

• Public cloud: The cloud provider owns and operates the cloud infrastructure and offers access to it over the internet. The cloud services are shared among multiple customers who have no control or visibility over the underlying infrastructure³.
• Private cloud: The cloud infrastructure is dedicated to a single customer who has full control and visibility over it. The cloud infrastructure can be located on-premises or off-premises at a third-party provider’s site³.
• Hybrid cloud: The cloud infrastructure is a combination of public and private clouds that are connected by a common technology that enables data and application portability between them³.