In today’s digital world, there is no denying that cloud computing has gained immense popularity in the tech industry. Everyone is utilizing the benefits of cloud computing, from small businesses to large enterprises. However, if you’re just starting out in the tech industry, you may still be confused about what cloud computing is.
In this beginner’s guide, we will explain the ins and outs of cloud computing, its benefits, subcategories, skills required, and how to get a cloud computing certification to secure a job in the field.
So, what is cloud computing, anyway?
What is Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing refers to storing, accessing, and using data on remote servers and computing spaces. Instead of storing your data on your own hardware, it’s all stored on servers outside of your physical location. Users with authorized access through an internet connection can access your data from anywhere in the world.
Why Use Cloud Computing? What Are the Benefits of Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing offers numerous benefits to individuals and businesses, some of which are listed below:
- Cost-effective – Reduce the cost of software, equipment, and technology services by utilizing a cloud provider’s hardware infrastructure.
- Scalable – Scale your business up or down as needed by using the computing power and storage of the cloud provider.
- Always Accessible – You can access your data if your internet connection works.
- Collaboration – Work in real-time on shared files and documents with team members.
- Security – Cloud providers employ various security measures to prevent data breaches and protect user privacy.
What is Cloud Computing, and What are the Types?
There are three main types of cloud computing:
- Public Cloud – Data storage and computing resources are shared between multiple clients on the provider’s cloud.
- Private Cloud – Data storage and computing resources are completely exclusive to a single client.
- Hybrid Cloud – A mix of using both private and public cloud resources.
Top Cloud Computing Services
The cloud computing services offered differ across platforms but majorly consist of Infrastructure as a service (IaaS), Platform as a service (PaaS), and Software as a service (SaaS).
- IaaS focuses on delivering computing infrastructure, such as servers, storage, networking, and operating systems, to businesses. Some top examples of IaaS include Amazon EC2, Google Compute Engine and Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines.
- PaaS provides pre-built tools and applications to developers, enabling them to create customized software. Some examples of PaaS include Heroku, Microsoft Azure App Service, and Google App Engine.
- SaaS delivers on-demand software applications to end-users over the internet. Some examples of SaaS include Salesforce, Zoom and Google Workspace.
Top Cloud Computing Platforms
The top cloud computing platforms include:
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Microsoft Azure
- Google Cloud Platform
- IBM Cloud
These platforms offer on-demand computing services like storage, processing, networking, database management, IoT, and more. AWS is the market leader, providing over 175 services for database management, storage, computing, networking, and machine learning under one roof. Azure is a close second, with more than 100 services for application development, data analysis, and storage. Google Cloud provides 50+ services focusing on data analytics and machine learning, while IBM Cloud offers more than 170 services for app, data and AI development.
What is Cloud Computing, and How Does It Work?
Cloud computing is a three-layered model:
- Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) – provides easy access to computing power and storage such as servers, network switches, etc. Examples include AWS EC2 and Google Compute Engine.
- Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) – provides developers with pre-built environments to build, test, and deploy applications. Examples include AWS Elastic Beanstalk and Google App Engine.
- Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) – refers to cloud-based applications accessed online, such as Office 365, Gmail and Dropbox.
What Is Cloud Computing? Real-World Examples and Use Cases
Cloud computing has numerous practical applications, such as:
- Video streaming services like Netflix and Hulu.
- E-commerce websites such as Amazon and eBay.
- Healthcare systems like telemedicine, appointment scheduling, and cloud-based EMR.
In addition, here are some examples of enterprises using cloud services:
- Expedia – Expedia, a global travel technology company, uses AWS to support a single scalable platform that can handle demand surges during peak periods. The AWS cloud services help the company achieve faster deployment times and increased flexibility to meet the changing needs of its customers.
- GE Oil & Gas – GE Oil & Gas migrated 500 applications to the AWS cloud to reduce IT costs while improving operational efficiencies. This move resulted in a 52% reduction in their total cost of ownership.
- Unilever – Unilever, a multinational consumer goods company, uses Microsoft Azure for digital marketing. Azure provides Unilever an efficient, scalable, cost-effective platform for managing its global digital marketing campaigns.
- Heineken – The Dutch brewing company Heineken chose Microsoft Azure to speed up its innovation processes, improve IT performance, and reduce costs. The switch to Azure has allowed Heineken to bring new products to the market quickly.
- Airbnb – The wildly popular vacation rental company uses AWS services to accommodate its massive scale and rapid growth. They leverage AWS to host images, support their vast database needs, and handle demand during peak times.
- BMW – The German automobile manufacturer BMW uses Azure’s IoT services to optimize its manufacturing processes and improve production quality. The data gathered through Azure IoT provides BMW with insights to enhance efficiency and reduce production time.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Cloud Computing
Now that we’ve established a solid answer to the question, “What is cloud computing,” let’s look at some pros and cons.
Advantages of Cloud Computing
- Cost Optimization: Cloud computing eliminates the expense of setting up and running on-site data centers, often involving hefty hardware, software, and networking costs. Organizations can reduce operational expenses, achieve economies of scale, and focus on their core business instead of IT infrastructure.
- Scalability: With cloud computing, businesses can easily scale up or down their IT departments, depending on demand, enabling elasticity. This means they only use and pay for what they need.
- High Availability: Cloud services are often built on highly redundant platforms with disaster recovery capabilities, offering high availability and continuity. Businesses can operate effectively knowing their critical applications and data are always available.
- Reliability: Cloud computing provides reliable and consistent service with a managed service platform. It’s easy to deploy and maintain, reduces the complexity of legacy infrastructures, and delivers consistent service with less downtime.
- Disaster Recovery: In case of a disaster, businesses can quickly restore their data and applications, as cloud computing services typically have robust disaster recovery capabilities. This helps maintain business continuity, protect data, and reduce downtime.
Disadvantages of Cloud Computing
- Security Risks: While cloud providers invest significantly in security, the fact remains that data hosted on the cloud could be vulnerable. Shared technology vulnerabilities, data breaches, and insider threats from malicious employees can pose security risks.
- Vendor Dependence: When businesses move their operations to the cloud, they become reliant on the service provider. This dependence can become problematic if the vendor experiences issues, changes their service, or if the business wants to switch to a different provider.
- Limited Control: With cloud computing, companies face limited control over their own data. The cloud provider’s rules, regulations, and technical infrastructure decisions bind them.
- Downtime: Even the best cloud service providers face service outages. When a cloud service goes down, businesses relying heavily on that service may experience significant disruptions.
- Compliance Challenges: Storing and managing sensitive data in the cloud can create compliance issues. It’s crucial for businesses to understand the regulatory requirements related to their industry and ensure that their cloud provider can meet those standards.
The Future of Cloud Computing
As we move forward, the impact of cloud computing on businesses and industries will continue to expand. With the advent of AI and machine learning, we expect to see these technologies increasingly integrated with cloud services to provide more effective data analysis and decision-making capabilities. Another promising trend is the rise of edge computing, where data processing happens closer to the source of data generation. This approach offers the benefits of reduced latency and enhanced data privacy.
Furthermore, the emergence of ‘serverless’ computing, where developers can rent back-end services on an as-used basis, will likely reshape the landscape. This model can dramatically improve efficiency and flexibility, as companies only pay for their applications’ actual processing time.
Lastly, hybrid and multi-cloud strategies will increasingly become the norm rather than the exception. As businesses realize the benefits of not being tied to a single cloud provider, they adopt a multi-cloud approach to avoid vendor lock-in and enhance resilience. This approach also allows companies to leverage the best services from each provider to meet their specific needs.
In summary, the future of cloud computing holds immense potential for fostering innovation, enhancing service delivery, and driving business growth. It will be interesting to see how these trends evolve and shape the world in the coming years.
Cloud Computing Skills to Acquire
The skills required for various cloud computing jobs may vary depending on the position. Common cloud computing skills include expertise in programming languages such as Python, Ruby, Java, and familiarity with containerization and orchestration platforms such as Docker and Kubernetes. In addition, knowledge of database management systems, networking, cybersecurity, identity and access management, cloud architecture and distributed computing is also essential.
Cloud Computing Career Outlook
The cloud computing industry is expected to continue to grow rapidly, with the pandemic only accelerating this trend. Individuals with cloud computing skills are in high demand, and the career opportunities in the field are vast. Some popular job roles include Cloud Solution Architect, Cloud Software Engineer, Cloud Security Engineer, Cloud Infrastructure Engineer, DevOps Engineer, and Cloud Consultant.
Wrapping Up: Cloud Computing and You
Cloud computing has become an essential component in the digital transformation of businesses. With its many advantages, like reducing hardware costs and increasing flexibility, it’s no surprise that the industry has seen massive growth over the past few years. To break into the field, individuals must gain the skills and knowledge required for the job.
Cloud computing platforms offer various certifications you can prepare for in various ways. One of the best is to enroll in a high-quality cloud computing bootcamp from a reputable institution like the University of Texas at Dallas.
In summary, cloud computing is an exciting industry with immense growth potential for those with relevant skills. With the right training and certifications, anyone can embark on a successful career in the cloud.
