What is Cloud Computing?

Posted by Vinay Vernekar 25th December 2025

Introduction

Cloud computing is a model for delivering computing resources—servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics and intelligence—over the Internet (the cloud). It enables faster innovation, flexible resources, and economies of scale. Organizations can access technology services on-demand and pay only for what they use, without the need to own or manage physical infrastructure.

Core Characteristics

Cloud computing typically exhibits several defining characteristics:

  • On-demand self-service: Users can provision resources automatically without human intervention.
  • Broad network access: Services are available over the network and accessed through standard mechanisms (web, APIs, SDKs).
  • Resource pooling: Providers pool computing resources to serve multiple customers using a multi-tenant model.
  • Rapid elasticity: Resources can scale up or down quickly to meet demand.
  • Measured service: Cloud systems automatically control and optimize resource use through metering and billing.

Service Models

Cloud services are commonly delivered in three primary models:

  • Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Provides virtualized computing resources over the internet. Examples: Amazon EC2, Google Compute Engine, Azure Virtual Machines. You manage OS, applications, and middleware.
  • Platform as a Service (PaaS): Provides a platform allowing customers to develop, run, and manage applications without handling the underlying infrastructure. Examples: Heroku, Google App Engine, Azure App Service.
  • Software as a Service (SaaS): Delivers software applications over the internet on a subscription basis. Examples: Salesforce, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365.

Deployment Models

Common deployment models include:

  • Public cloud: Services offered over the public internet and available to anyone who wants to purchase them.
  • Private cloud: Cloud infrastructure operated solely for a single organization, either on-premises or hosted by a third party.
  • Hybrid cloud: A combination of public and private clouds, allowing data and applications to move between them for greater flexibility and optimization.
  • Multi-cloud: Use of two or more cloud providers to avoid vendor lock-in and optimize costs and capabilities.

Benefits

Key benefits of cloud computing include:

  • Cost efficiency: Reduced capital expenditure and pay-as-you-go pricing.
  • Scalability: Quick scaling to handle variable workloads.
  • Speed and agility: Faster time to market for new applications and features.
  • Reliability: High availability and disaster recovery options built into cloud services.
  • Global reach: Deploy services to data centers around the world to reduce latency.

Challenges and Considerations

While cloud computing offers many advantages, organizations must consider:

  • Security & compliance: Protecting data in transit and at rest, meeting regulatory requirements.
  • Cost management: Monitoring usage to avoid unexpected charges.
  • Vendor lock-in: Designing applications to be portable across providers where required.
  • Performance: Ensuring latency and throughput meet application needs.

Simple Example (Code)

Here’s a short example showing how you might provision an object storage bucket using AWS SDK for JavaScript (v3):

import { S3Client, CreateBucketCommand } from "@aws-sdk/client-s3";

const client = new S3Client({ region: "us-east-1" });
await client.send(new CreateBucketCommand({ Bucket: "my-sample-bucket" }));

Conclusion

Cloud computing transforms how organizations consume IT by providing flexible, scalable, and cost-effective resources over the internet. Choosing the right service and deployment model depends on business needs, compliance, and technical requirements.