Introduction
Cloud computing is often misunderstood as “someone else’s computer.” That description is technically correct—and also incomplete. The real value of cloud computing is scalability, cost control, and speed.
What Is Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing means delivering computing services—servers, storage, databases, networking, and software—over the internet instead of running everything locally.
You rent resources instead of owning hardware.
Types of Cloud Services
- IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)
- PaaS (Platform as a Service)
- SaaS (Software as a Service)
Each level shifts more responsibility from the user to the provider.
Deployment Models
- Public cloud
- Private cloud
- Hybrid cloud
The choice depends on security, cost, and control requirements.
Why Businesses Use Cloud Computing
- Lower upfront costs
- Scalability on demand
- Faster deployment
- Reduced maintenance
- Global accessibility
Risks and Limitations
- Vendor lock-in
- Downtime risk
- Security misconfiguration
- Long-term cost creep
Common Misconceptions
- Cloud is automatically cheaper (not always)
- Cloud is insecure (misconfiguration is the real problem)
- Cloud removes all IT responsibility (it doesn’t)
Conclusion
Cloud computing is a business tool, not a magic solution. Used correctly, it accelerates growth. Used blindly, it becomes an expensive dependency.