What Is Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is a form of Internet-based computing that provides shared resources, software, and information to computers and other devices on-demand, characterized by self-service provisioning and administration. This paradigm, as defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), enables network access to a scalable and elastic pool of shareable physical or virtual resources. Cloud computing has revolutionized the way businesses and individuals access and utilize computing resources, offering greater flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional on-premises computing. With major players like [[amazon-web-services|Amazon Web Services]] and [[microsoft-azure|Microsoft Azure]] leading the charge, cloud computing has become an essential component of modern computing, transforming the way we work, communicate, and store data. As a result, it has also raised important questions about data security, privacy, and the environmental impact of large-scale computing, with initiatives like [[green-computing|green computing]] aiming to mitigate these concerns.