Cloud Computing Explained: Introduction, Technologies, Applications & Challenges

We encounter cloud computing every day. For instance, if you use an Android phone, your photos and videos are likely backed up to a cloud service like Google Drive. Similarly, if you use Microsoft OneDrive, your data is copied to the cloud. Cloud computing also supports our email services, social media, and messaging apps like WhatsApp. But what exactly is cloud computing?

Cloud computing can be defined as a utility service. Just like electricity, gas, or water, cloud computing provides essential services without requiring users to understand the underlying complexities. We consume these services and pay according to our usage. Similarly, cloud computing offers resources such as memory, storage, computing power, networking, applications, and platforms over the internet, on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Why Cloud Computing?

There are numerous reasons why individuals and organizations migrate to cloud computing. Here are some key motivations: