Cloud computing refers to the on-demand availability of computing resources, such as storage and infrastructure, delivered over the internet. Microsoft (Office) 365 and the Azure framework as typical examples. Here are the key points :-
Service Models:
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Offers compute and storage services. Users can provision virtual machines, storage, and networking resources.
Platform as a Service (PaaS): Provides a develop-and-deploy environment for building cloud applications. Developers focus on coding without managing the underlying infrastructure.
Software as a Service (SaaS): Delivers applications as services. Users access software directly without worrying about installation or maintenance.
How It Works:
Cloud computing relies on shared resources hosted on remote servers (server farms) owned and managed by large service providers such as Microsoft and Google.
Users pay only for what they use, avoiding the need to buy and maintain physical data centres and servers.
A central server facilitates communication between your “client devices” and cloud servers over the internet. This makes team working and collaboration easy and pain free.
Deployment Models:
Public Cloud: Resources are available to the general public via the internet. Examples include Google Cloud, AWS, and Microsoft Azure.
Private Cloud: Resources are dedicated to a single organization, often hosted on-premises or in a private data centre.
Hybrid Cloud: Combines public and private clouds, allowing seamless data and application sharing.
In summary, cloud computing enables easy scalability, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility by providing on-demand services over the internet. Almost all cloud computing is paid for on a “per-user” basis, so the costs will always match your needs as they presently stand.
Data security in the cloud is important and involves protecting data that is both at rest (when stored) and in motion (when moving in and out of the cloud). Here’s how it works :-
Data Protection Layers:
Physical Security: Cloud providers secure their data centres physically, safeguarding servers, storage, and networking equipment.
Technology Tools: Encryption, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and antivirus software protect data from unauthorized access and cyber threats.
Access Management and Controls: Role-based access control (RBAC) ensures that only authorized users can access specific data.
Organizational Policies: Companies define rules for data handling, privacy, and compliance.
Shared Responsibility Model:
Cloud service providers (CSPs) and customers share security responsibilities:
CSP Responsibility: Securing core infrastructure (compute, storage, network).
Customer Responsibility: Securing data, applications, user access, and network controls “in” the cloud.
Service Models:
IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service): Customers secure their data, applications, and virtual network controls. CSPs handle compute, storage, and physical network security.
PaaS (Platform as a Service): Customers secure data, user access, and applications, while CSPs manage the underlying platform.
SaaS (Software as a Service): CSPs handle security for the entire application, but customers control user access.
Remember that you have shared responsibilities and they are crucial for building a robust cloud security strategy.
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