How the Cloud Works - Pros & Cons
- Sylvia Rose
- Mar 19
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 23
Cloud computing provides a variety of services through the internet, such as storage, databases, servers, software and analytics. Instead of physical servers or storage devices, the cloud is hosted by third-party providers.
Individuals and organizations can access information anytime and anywhere assuming they have internet connection. The cloud delivers computing services over the internet.
Essentially, the cloud allows users to rent access to a pool of computing resources, rather than using their own hardware and software.
How the Cloud Works
The cloud works by leveraging a network of remote servers hosted in data centers around the world. These servers are connected by internet. Users access computing resources on-demand.
Virtualization technology enables multiple systems to operate on one physical server. Cloud providers also have extensive data centers of high-performance servers, and distribute workloads across several.
Users access cloud services through web interfaces or applications. These allow individuals to monitor usage, scale resources, and adjust settings.
Underlying technology is broken down to three main components.
Front-End: The front-end of the cloud consists of user's device and the app needed to access the cloud services. The app communicates with the back-end of the cloud over the Internet to send and receive data.
Back-End: The back-end of the cloud comprises the various servers, storage systems, and other computing resources making up cloud infrastructure. These resources are managed and maintained by the cloud provider, who is responsible for ensuring their availability, performance, and security.
Network: The network binds the front-end and back-end together, enabling users to access cloud services and data over the internet. The network is made of high-speed, redundant connections for fast, reliable data transmission.
Cloud Services
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): IaaS offers virtualized computing resources online. Businesses can rent virtual servers, storage, and networking services as needed.
Platform as a Service (PaaS): PaaS helps developers create, test, and deploy applications without need to manage the underlying infrastructure. It provides a platform equipped with the necessary tools.
Software as a Service (SaaS): SaaS delivers software applications online. Users pay for what they need and can access the applications with a web browser.
Cloud Deployment Models
There are three main deployment models for cloud computing.
Public Cloud: In a public cloud model, computing resources are owned and managed by a third-party provider, who offers access to these resources over the internet.
Private Cloud: A private cloud is a dedicated computing environment owned, operated, and managed by a single organization. Private clouds can be hosted on-premises or off-premises. They're often used by entities with strict security and compliance requirements.
Hybrid Cloud: A hybrid cloud is a combination of public and private cloud resources, which are connected by a common network and managed as a single infrastructure. Hybrid clouds enable organizations to leverage the benefits of both public and private clouds.
Cloud Pros & Cons
Pros
Scalability: Cloud resources can be easily scaled up or down based on demand, enabling users to accommodate spikes in traffic or reduce costs during periods of low usage.
Cost Savings: By eliminating need for on-premises infrastructure, the cloud can help organizations save on capital expenditures, maintenance costs and energy consumption.
Accessibility: Cloud-based services and data can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, making it easier for remote and distributed teams to collaborate and stay productive.
Reliability and Disaster Recovery: Cloud providers typically offer service level agreements (SLAs) promising uptime, backup and disaster recovery.
Belief in Security: Many cloud providers invest heavily in security measures, such as encryption, firewalls, and access controls, to protect user data and applications from unauthorized access and cyber threats.
Cloud technology also presents drawbacks like security risks, vendor lock-in, internet dependency and potential cost increases. If some of these below contradict the pros, it's because both scenarios are possible.
Cons
Data Breaches & Exposure: Placing data in the cloud, while offering benefits, also creates security concerns. Data stored in the cloud is vulnerable to loss or theft, depending on the security measures in place and the reliability of the cloud provider.
Data breaches in cloud computing are a real and significant risk, resulting in unauthorized access to sensitive information, leading to financial loss, legal issues and damage to reputation. Causes include misconfigurations, weak passwords, insider threats, and vulnerabilities in cloud applications.
Limited Control and Flexibility: Cloud computing services require users to relinquish physical control over their infrastructures and rely on cloud service providers to manage their IT environments.
Businesses may have limited control over their IT resources when using cloud services, affecting the ability to manage and maintain systems.
Compliance and Legal Issues: Cloud providers may not always be up-to-date with the best data compliance policies, which can cause compliance issues.
Vulnerability to Attacks: Cloud environments, like everything else online, are susceptible to attacks including data breaches and service outages. They can lead to loss of sensitive information and disruptions to operations.
Cloud services can be vulnerable to account or service hijacking, whereby unauthorized users gain access to sensitive data or resources.
Insider Threats: Security vulnerabilities can arise from within an organization, with employees potentially accessing or exposing sensitive data; or the organization itself might be shaky.
Vendor Lock-in Risks: Organizations can become locked into a specific cloud provider, limiting the ability to switch providers or adapt to changing needs.
Dependence on Internet Connectivity: Cloud services rely on a stable and reliable internet connection, and poor connectivity can hinder productivity and limit access to critical resources.
Bandwidth Limitations: Limited bandwidth or network congestion can affect application performance, especially for data-intensive or real-time use.
Performance and Latency Issues: Businesses receive cloud computing services only through the internet. Downtime can happen. Cloud services can experience performance and latency issues, especially if the internet connection is slow or unstable.
Cost Management: Cloud costs can be hard to manage and predict, leading to unexpected expenses.
Cost-Related Scalability Challenges: Scaling cloud resources can be expensive. Businesses may find it difficult to manage costs as needs change or grow.
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