What is cloud and what is it for (novice guide)

What is cloud?

We can call it " cloudcomputing " , but popularly it is called "cloud" to the provision of files or resources at the request of the user through an internet connection. Like almost any connection there is a requestor (the user) and a receiver (the server), the requestor requests a resource through its application and the receiver provides it.

Cloud computing can be used in different ways. As we can see below.

SaaS (Software as a service)

If we take the example of a streaming platform, it runs a system in the cloud, which is connected to user systems through the Internet and through a browser.

The most interesting thing about SaaS is that we can log in and use the applications. We can access the data from anywhere, as long as we have the internet. If the system fails, we will not lose the data and the service is scalable.

PaaS (Platform as a service)

It is ideal for workgroups and exchanging data or resources. While one can upload and download, the others can only access that data.

These platforms are widely used by large companies.

IaaS (Infrastructure as a service)

This cloud system allows companies to be equipped with an infrastructure for their resources, servers, networks, data storage, etc. It is a widely used service for companies that want to have a kind of intranet in which to upload applications or data, such as downloading it.

The benefits of this cloud is that there is no need to invest in hardware, the cloud is scalable and the services are adapted to companies.

Public cloud

They belong to companies and they manage it by offering a public network to which users can access resources. Users do not have to do anything or buy anything because all the infrastructure belongs to the company or supplier.

Many governments use this cloud system.

Private cloud

The private cloud can be associated with Google Drive, Dropbox or iCloud. It is a service that is only given to certain users and can be oriented to a use of few users.

In this way, they can access their files from anywhere on the internet. It is a cloud made for the end user.

Hybrid cloud

It combines the structures of the private cloud with the integration of the public cloud.

Benefits of the cloud

According to various studies, it is predicted that in 2020 40 zettabytes of data will be created and companies in the United States will have, at least, 100 Terabytes stored in their clouds.

Is the cloud capable of supporting all that? There is no doubt that the cloud is a beast that can do just about anything and has proven to be a large-scale solution.

Its benefits are as follows.

Speed

Your system allows you to access data very quickly. Previously, this was not possible because the administration of cloud-like services was more complex and slow.

Lower costs

The costs of a cloud are quite low, and can be paid by any company. In addition, the possibility of making the service more flexible, together with its personalization, have allowed companies that do not require that much size to spend less money because they need less.

To process data

Its platforms manage to reduce the complexity of data processing, making it easier for any type of company.

Lower resources

We achieve a better service, paying less because such high performance is not required in terms of data processing and storage. In this way, it is said to be a scalable service for companies because they can easily increase or decrease cloud performance.

Bad points

All that glitters is not gold, so this service may have several negative points that are pending to be corrected by the main companies that offer cloud services.

Generally speaking, they are as follows.

Threats or attacks

In the face of the iCloud scandal in which many cloud services of actresses and celebrities were hacked, it is clear that the cloud has to "put its batteries" and stop the attacks or threats that companies or users may suffer.

Phising, data breach, authentication problems, phishing, account hijacking, attacks or data loss are problems that can arise when using a cloud.

Vulnerabilities

It is not an airtight system that cannot be accessed, but it has weak points like any platform. I wish it was easier to plug the holes in the clouds, but the technology advances very fast.

Responsibility

Cloud service providers are, in the vast majority of cases, responsible for such things happening. So, it can be said that they are continuously exposed to any attack that their clients may suffer.

As you can see, a cloud is not a simple matter to explain, it is rather complex. Similarly, it is a service that has provided a solution to a persistent problem between companies and users.

Are you a cloud user? What do you like more or less about clouds? Do you consider that they are not useful? Why?