Cloud Computing Services to a model that provides network-based access to a flexible and scalable collection of shared physical or virtual resources, allowing users to provision and manage them on demand through self-service. It is often simply called “the cloud.”

Cloud computing Cloud computing explained:

• On-demand self-service: Cloud users can independently access and allocate computing resources—such as processing power or data storage—whenever they need them, without requiring manual involvement from the service provider.
• Broad network access: Cloud services are reachable via the internet and can be used through standard interfaces on a variety of devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers.
• Resource pooling: Cloud providers combine their computing assets to serve multiple clients at once, using a multi-tenant approach where physical and virtual resources are flexibly distributed and reassigned according to changing customer needs.

What is cloud computing? Its origins can be traced back to the 1960s, when the concept of time-sharing gained traction through remote job entry (RJE). During this period, the “data center” model emerged, allowing users to submit computing tasks to operators who executed them on mainframes. This era marked the beginning of efforts to make large-scale computing resources more accessible through time-sharing—focusing on improving infrastructure, platforms, and applications to enhance efficiency for end users.

Cloud computing news today: The concept of the “cloud” as a metaphor for virtualized services traces back to 1994, when General Magic used it to describe the network of “places” that mobile agents could travel within the Telescript environment. This metaphor is attributed to David Hoffman, a communications specialist at General Magic, who drew inspiration from its established use in networking and telecommunications. The phrase cloud computing gained broader recognition in 1996, when Compaq Computer Corporation created a business plan centered on the future of computing and the Internet, aiming to boost sales through “cloud computing–enabled applications.”

Cloud computing services began to emerge in the 2000s with the creation of Amazon Web Services (AWS) in 2002, enabling developers to independently build and deploy applications. In 2006, Amazon introduced the Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) and the Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2). By 2008, NASA contributed to the field by developing the first open-source software designed for deploying private and hybrid cloud environments.

Cloud computing solutions can accelerate time to market by offering ready-to-use tools, elastic resources, and fully managed services, enabling users to concentrate on delivering core business value rather than handling infrastructure maintenance. These platforms allow organizations and individuals to minimize initial capital investments in physical hardware by adopting an operational expense model, where spending adjusts according to usage. Additionally, cloud platforms provide managed tools and services—such as AI, data analytics, and machine learning—that would otherwise demand extensive in-house expertise and costly infrastructure development.

Cloud computing refers to the delivery of computing services—such as servers, storage, databases, networking, and software—over the internet to provide flexible resources and economies of scale. While it can deliver significant cost benefits through optimized resource utilization, organizations may still encounter issues like idle resources, suboptimal configurations, and unexpected expenses if proper governance and monitoring are lacking. To address these challenges, most cloud providers offer cost management solutions, including AWS Cost Explorer and Azure Cost Management, while frameworks like FinOps have been developed to streamline and standardize financial operations in cloud environments. Additionally, cloud computing enhances collaboration, supports remote work, and enables global service delivery by allowing secure, internet-based access to data and applications from virtually anywhere.

Edge computing vs cloud computing: Cloud providers offer multiple redundancy options for essential services like managed databases and storage; however, the level of redundancy often depends on the selected service tier. More advanced methods—such as cross-region replication or automatic failover—usually need manual setup and can lead to extra expenses or licensing requirements.

In both cloud and edge environments, a shared responsibility model applies. Cloud vendors generally manage infrastructure protection, hardware maintenance, and software patching, while customers handle tasks like data encryption, identity and access management (IAM), and securing applications. The exact division of responsibilities changes based on the specific cloud service model in use.

Cloud computing security considerations influence whether organizations choose to migrate to the cloud or retain on-premises systems. The decision is shaped by factors such as scalability, cost efficiency, latency sensitivity, regulatory compliance, and the need for infrastructure flexibility.[15][16][17][18]Enterprises with fluctuating or unpredictable workloads, limited budgets for initial infrastructure investments, or a demand for rapid expansion tend to gain advantages from adopting cloud solutions. Startups, SaaS providers, and online retail businesses typically favor the cloud’s pay-as-you-go operational expense (OpEx) model for its scalability and cost-effectiveness.

Cloud computing platforms may be less appropriate for organizations that operate under stringent regulatory standards, have highly consistent workloads, or depend heavily on complex legacy systems. Companies in sectors such as defense, government, or those managing extremely sensitive information often prefer on-premises infrastructures to maintain enhanced control and ensure data sovereignty.