Most of us rely on the cloud in some way, from streaming our favorite shows, to collaborating with colleagues, or even storing your vacation photos. As well as being incredibly useful, it can also be a little confusing to the uninitiated. If you’re not familiar with the ins and outs of cloud computing but want to know more, you’re in the right place.
What is Cloud Computing and Why Does it Matter?
Simply put, cloud computing is the delivery of any kind of computing services (servers, data storage, networking, software) over the internet. Instead of depending on your computer’s own resources or bulky on-site servers, cloud computing lets you tap into powerful remote data centers managed by providers like Microsoft and Google.
Why is that so important? Because cloud computing can provide people with access to top-tier resources without many of the headaches that come with running and maintaining physical hardware. Cloud computing offers flexibility, cost-effectiveness and the ability to work from anywhere – something that is more important than ever today.
Cloud Computing vs Cloud Storage: What’s the Difference?
Most people are familiar with personal cloud storage as a space for whatever might not fit on their phone or computer. Cloud computing is related to cloud storage, but not exactly the same.
Cloud storage encrypts and stores your files online, allowing you to access them from any device. Cloud computing is broader – it isn’t just about storing data, it’s about processing, hosting, and running complex operations online. For example, a company might run their entire customer service software online through cloud computing.
The Benefits of Cloud Computing
There are plenty of reasons why cloud computing appeals to so many individuals and organizations alike. Here are the standouts:
- Scalability – Cloud services let you easily adjust your resources based on demand, such as scaling up in times of growth, in a much more affordable way than buying new hardware.
- Accessibility – An internet connection is all you need to access your tools and data from anywhere.
- Reliability – With providers handling software updates, security and data-protection, there’s very little to worry about when working off of cloud-based platforms.
How Cloud Computing is Used in Everyday Life and Business
It might surprise you to know just how prevalent cloud computing is in your life already. Any streaming services you use, such as Netflix or Hulu, use cloud technology to store and stream their libraries of content to users across the globe. Email services are also often hosted on the cloud, as are collaboration tools like Google Workspace and Microsoft 365. Even in your home, smart devices rely on cloud computing to process commands and store data.
Types of Cloud Services
There are various forms of cloud computing, depending on your needs.
Infrastructure as a service (IaaS)
IaaS gives you essential resources such as virtualized servers, storage and networking. You get the power to run your own software and apps, but without having to manage the physical infrastructure.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
With PaaS, you get an environment where developers can build, test and deploy apps without worrying about having to manage servers. This speeds up the development process significantly, and improves security measures.
Serverless computing
Serverless computing takes PaaS a step further by handling server management completely in the background, making it perfect for apps that need to scale automatically with minimal intervention.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
SaaS delivers ready-to-use software over the internet – Slack and Zoom are two examples commonly used in business settings. SaaS products are often incredibly user-friendly and don’t require too much IT knowledge to manage.
Head in the cloud, hands on your keyboard
Cloud computing is already considered an essential aspect of everyday life for many. By understanding its many benefits and applications, you can leverage the ways in which it can enhance your digital experience. But remember – wherever there is an internet connection, there is an opportunity for cybercrime. Stay up to date with the best security practices with resources from iolo.
