From small businesses to large companies, everyone is moving to the cloud. Cloud computing delivers computer services, including storage, servers, databases, software, analytics, and networking.
Cloud computing is not a new technology; it’s based on the traditional computing architecture. It relies upon the same physical server hardware as the backbone of any network.
The advanced processing power and storage capacity of the hardware over the internet empowers cloud computing. There are many advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing depending on the types.
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is also known for delivering different services through the Internet. It facilitates computing power and data storage without active management by the user.
These are cloud-based storage solutions allowing people to store files, information online and offline with the help of their smartphones or devices.
Some examples related to cloud computing are DropBox, Microsoft Azure, Google Drive, etc. To access cloud computing, all you need is smartphones to access the data and software programs to run it.
Types Of Cloud Deployment
Cloud deployments models have given unprecedented computing power into the hands of entrepreneurs. This is the main reason why companies are eager to be associated with the cloud.
There are four types of cloud computing deployment. Public Cloud, Private Cloud, Hybrid Cloud, and Multicloud.
1. Public Cloud
The public cloud consists of computing resources such as networking, memory, central processing unit, and storage.
The cost of using the service is determined through the usage of IT resources utilized. These features are managed by each vendor who owns globally distributed and fully managed data centers.
2. Private Cloud
Private clouds are used by businesses and organizations that have physically located their own data center using their hardware—mostly used by single organizations with sensitive data.
The control over the infrastructure allows customizing the internal processes according to your preference. The user employs the private cloud where the service provider does not provide any cloud management services.
3. Hybrid Cloud
This model is the combination of public cloud and private cloud. The data from both clouds can be accessed in the hybrid cloud.
An organization with large data analytics with strict privacy regulations finds it safer to use a hybrid cloud. The sensitive data are kept in the private cloud while maintaining its scalability in the public cloud.
4. Community Cloud
Community clouds are used by several organizations to share the same application with common goals. This platform is managed privately in a data center or on-premises and only authorized users are allowed.
The industry or organization with a shared interest in compliance security and performance operates in the community could.
Types Of Cloud Computing Services
All pubic cloud computing services are built upon the same basic structure. They are a pyramid comprised of three layers where each layer is more specialized than the one below.
There are three types of cloud computing services. They are IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS.
1. IaaS
Infrastructure as a Service manages the hardware issues, takes care of outages, repairs, networking, hard drives, and data storage. The access to the service for the user is through API or dashboard.
The users manage operating systems, apps, and middleware. Google Cloud Platform, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft Azure are among the leading public cloud providers.
2. PaaS
Platform as a Service provides the framework to build, test, deploy and update software products. CSP manages your operating systems, middleware, and database management system required to create software applications.
PaaS is more efficient as you don’t need to worry about resource procurement, capacity planning, software maintenance, or other operations in running your applications.
Some examples of PaaS are AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Apache Stratos, Microsoft Azure.
3. SaaS
Software as a Service is a method used for web-based applications. The perfect example of SaaS is email; without maintaining the servers and operating system, you can send and receive emails.
They deliver the application over the Internet managed by the cloud providers and make it easier to have the same application on all of your devices at once by accessing it in the cloud.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Cloud Computing
Cloud computing technology is the best business solution that every enterprise uses or wants to move to. All three types of cloud computing are acknowledged by businesses and enterprises all around the world.
Yet, some technical issues might trouble the users who have limited access to the application. The service provider might not be available in some cases, which can be an issue.
With several advantages, cloud computing has some disadvantages too. Have a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing.
Advantages of cloud computing
Rather than keeping files in hard drives or local storage devices, cloud-based storage helps these files to save them online to a remote database.
The customers are offered the service of regular backup in case of any data loss. Here are the major advantages of cloud computing listed below:
1. Reliability
Compared to other computer services, hard drives, cloud computing is highly reliable for people as they access their files from anywhere through mobile phones, tablets, laptops, etc.
The cloud service provider takes care of all your information, files, images, and other documents once you choose to use cloud computing.
In some sudden cases of system disaster, even if the host server fails, the data can get transitioned to other available serves.
Cloud service providers get stuck with the rules provided by SLAs for timely assistance to the customer business needs.
2. Costs saving
According to the survey, almost 95% of users reviewed cloud computing as a cost saver. It reduces both the setup and maintenance costs of the business.
Gartner’s study shows that by 2022, the worldwide spending for cloud computing will grow by 331.2 billion dollars.
Also, most cloud computing service provides pay as you go feature. It means you only need to pay for the service you use.
The hardware extension can incur a large chunk of money for new businesses and startups, expensive and inconvenient. Cloud computing can dramatically decrease labor and maintenance costs.
Also, one of the crucial advantages of cloud computing is the reduction in hardware costs. It helps organizations to eliminate extra expenses from the long-term business perspective.
3. Accessibility
As mentioned above, cloud computing allows people to access their saved files, information from smart devices no matter where they are. Data can get accessed anywhere at any time.
Cloud computing always helps businesses and their customer relationships by enhancing enterprise productivity and efficiency. It allows easy collaboration with people from different areas.
It makes the whole work more interactive and efficient around the globe. It broadens the opportunity for companies to scale up their growth.
4. Disaster Recovery
As an owner of a company, there are always risks associated with your business. Some risks can get out of control whereas, some can get anticipated and eliminated.
Risks like disasters, sudden changes in the market, the environment can cause lots of hardship in the company’s operations.
However, with the help of cloud computing, you can conveniently recover your lost data in all kinds of emergency scenarios.
Almost 20% of cloud users can claim disaster recovery in less than 4 hours whereas, only 9% of non-cloud users can claim restoration.
According to the survey, almost 40% of IT savvy has mentioned cloud computing as essential for backing up the lost files from the disaster.
5. Proper quality control
Proper presentation of files, formatting, and quality reporting are basic things we should care about while operating a business.
With the help of cloud computing, files and data get stored in a standard format that enhances the quality of your reporting.
All the documents get stored in one place with similar formatting. When everyone accesses the files, cloud computing helps to maintain the consistency of the information.
You can also have a clear record of updates, history, and any changes in the document. It helps to facilitate central file storage. Hence, cloud computing helps in quality control.
6. Flexible capacity
Cloud computing facilitates you with flexible capacity for your files, data, and documents. It can get turned on and off depending upon the circumstances of the user.
It provides online storage that is manageable. Capacities can quickly get added with cloud computing to avoid losses and crashes in servers, and users can adjust accordingly.
7. Reduce
Also, cloud computing is helping to reduce fewer carbon footprints for organizations. It is trying to eliminate the production of carbon dioxide that is detrimental to the environment.
According to the forecast, cloud computing will potentially prevent more than one metric ton of carbon dioxide from 2021 to 2022.
Disadvantages of cloud computing
Even though cloud computing possesses pros to its user, there are still some cons associated with it. Even this online portal has some risks and drawbacks. Let us dig in more about the disadvantages of cloud computing.
1. Data confidentiality risk
One of the prevalent drawbacks that its users find is data confidentiality risk. As a third-party provider manages these data, you can not track the access and the security breach.
As we know, files and documents uploaded in cloud computing are accessible so, there is always a confidentiality risk. Non-authorized people can also get access through the link, which can cause scams to your files.
Suppose you are unable to manage the infrastructure and don’t have access to control the security protocols. It might harm some sensitive information related to financial management or official data.
2. Reliable with internet connection
The only method you can get access to your data via cloud computing is with the help of smart devices. These devices need an internet connection to function.
In developing countries, there are still some remote areas with a lack of internet connection. So, if you are somewhere with a poor internet connection, you cannot upload your documents online.
3. You cannot control the technical issues
If there are some issues with cloud computing, then you cannot manage it by yourself. You need to contact the customer service who might not be available 24/7.
The backend operation like firmware updates and shell access is not given to the customers, and they are unaware of the risk their data could be exposed to.
Compared to having servers and hard drives, cloud computing needs to get fixed by its controller only. Also, you might have to pay more for some extended supports.
4. Vulnerable to attacks
Since cloud computing needs to be used in an online platform, hackers can attack data and information stored in cloud computing servers. The problems may arise in data privacy and security with cloud computing.
Cloud service providers are responsible for all the benefits but talking about weaknesses. Hence, these are some advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing.
They cannot control your Internet access going down or can partially handle your digital security habits, which may lead to the breach by hackers.
So, choosing a provider with a solid track record would be the wise option. These advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing include almost all the factors and features you need to understand.
All the vendors providing cloud storage are upgrading themselves as digital technology is at its highest peak with many new breakthroughs day by day.
