What is a Cloud-Based System?
A cloud-based system, often known as cloud computing, is any service or application deployed on a cloud server. This means that it works over the internet as opposed to a physical server — often through cloud service providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. Because the cloud is available on demand, it provides businesses the ability or the capability to use their resources anywhere.
Cloud-based systems can either be public or private. The public cloud is a multi-tenant model that can be available to anyone with the internet. In contrast, a private cloud is a dedicated data center with limited access. This means a single organization owns the information and the data stored in the cloud.
What are the types of cloud computing services?
There are three major types of cloud computing services: software-as-a-service (SaaS), platform-as-a-service (PaaS), and infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS).
- The most common among the three is SaaS, which provides ready-to-use software that allows everyone on the internet to access services freely and easily, directly from the browser. In other words, there’s no need to download any app or software. Examples include Gmail and Dropbox.
- PaaS provides users with a complete set of development and deployment solutions, tools, and applications without having to worry about the management of servers or hardware. It supports the entire life-cycle of application creation, from design to rollout — for instance, Google App Engine or Heroku.
- Customers are increasingly interested in leasing computing resources, including virtual machines, storage, and networks, through IaaS. These resources can enable specific software and manage certain applications—for example, Amazon EC2 and Microsoft Azure.
How does a cloud-based system work?
For every cloud-based system or service, a single vendor controls a distributed infrastructure to ensure data security, data maintenance, and information processing of cloud resources. Top use cases of the cloud include:
- Document Storage: Cloud systems like Google Drive or Dropbox provide customers with the ability to save, share, manage, and retrieve documents from the cloud from any device.
- Data Encryption: For cloud users, data encryption (e.g., AES-256) is employed by cloud providers’ servers responsible for safeguarding their data while uploading, sharing, and storing it.
- Collaboration Tools: Services like Google Docs and Office 365 allow users to access, edit, and collaborate on documents online and in real time.
- Remote Access: Using cloud systems, users can operate their data and applications from any connection point provided they have access to the internet.
- Backup and Recovery: By default, drives automatically back up essential files, even without a user command, minimizing data loss.
Cloud vs. On-Premise vs. Hybrid
How does the cloud compare to on-premise and hybrid setups?
- Cloud: Cloud allows businesses to scale up and access state-of-the-art technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning at a reduced cost. However, while this reduces the amount of hardware maintenance needed, it increases concerns about data security and dependence on the provider if it is wrongly used.
- On-Premise: This model works best for sectors such as the finance and healthcare sectors or those that are heavily regulated and, therefore, require companies to have absolute control over managing their data security. This option is, however, limited due to significant initial investments, low levels of expansion, and further difficulties associated with risk management and business continuity.
- Hybrid: A hybrid model incorporates the on-premise aspect, enabling control and the cloud aspect’s operational efficiency. This allows for the protection of sensitive information while leveraging the improvement of cloud services and increasing the ability to expand. However, management can be a little complicated as extra networking and security measures must be put in place to mitigate potential risks.