What is cloud computing?

In short, cloud computing is the delivery of computing services, including servers, storage, databases, networking, software and analytics over the internet (aka the cloud). The idea is that it will offer faster innovation, flexible resources and economies of scale. Typically, you only pay for the cloud services you use, which helps to reduce operating costs, run your infrastructure more efficiently and lets you scale your business as its needs change.

The main benefits of cloud computing

Cloud computing reduces costs by eliminating the costs associated with buying hardware and software, setting it up, running data centres and hiring IT experts to manage it.

It's also faster, as most cloud computing services are on-demand, so large amounts of computing resources can be delivered in minutes with just a few mouse clicks. This gives businesses great flexibility.

The performance of computing services is also improved given how the largest cloud computing services run on a global network of secure data centres that are regularly updated to the latest generation of fast and efficient computing hardware.

And much more.

What can you use cloud computing for?

You're probably using cloud computing right now, even if you don't realise it. If you use any kind of online service to send emails, edit documents, watch films or TV, listen to music, store images and documents and other files, it's very possible that cloud computing is behind it. The first cloud computing services are barely a decade old, but it is already being used by a wide range of organisations for various reasons. Here are some of the uses:

• To create applications that use the cloud: Develop applications that take advantage of cloud technologies and approaches such as containers, Kubernetes, microservice architecture, API-driven communication and DevOps.

• Test and build applications: Reduce application development costs by using cloud infrastructure that can be easily scaled up or down.

• Store, back up and restore data: Protect your data more cost-effectively and at massive scale by transferring it to the internet or an offsite cloud storage system accessible from anywhere.

• Analyse data: Gather your data in one place and let machine learning derive insights from it.

• Stream audio and video: Connect with your audience anywhere, anytime and on any device.

• Deliver software on demand: Also known as software as a service (SaaS).

Security and compliance in cloud computing

Security is a top priority in any cloud solution and many platforms are committed to protecting data from unauthorised access and cyber threats. Cloud services often offer encryption, access control and regular security updates as part of their basic security measures. However, it's important that the cloud solution also meets industry compliance standards and regulatory requirements, such as GDPR in the EU. A good understanding of both security protocols and compliance requirements is essential for organisations that want to ensure their data is stored and handled correctly.

Different types of cloud computing

Cloud computing comes in several models, each designed for different needs. Public Cloud is provided by third-party providers and provides access to resources over the internet, often on a pay-as-you-go basis. Private Cloud is a dedicated cloud infrastructure used by only one organization, providing increased control and security. Hybrid Cloud combines the best of both worlds, allowing organizations to balance the flexibility of Public Cloud with the security of Private Cloud. The choice of cloud type depends on factors such as security, compliance and business requirements.

The future of cloud computing

Cloud computing is constantly evolving and new technologies are creating even more opportunities. Edge computing brings computing closer to the user, reducing latency and improving the performance of IoT devices and real-time applications. AI and machine learning in the cloud make it easier for businesses to analyze large amounts of data and automate complex processes. At the same time, serverless computing is becoming increasingly popular as it lets developers focus on code instead of infrastructure. With the continued development of cloud technologies, organisations are increasingly relying on the cloud as a core part of their IT strategy.