Cloud revision notes

The term cloud computing refers to the 'cloud' whereby a number of computing resources, including data storage and software applications, are offered and delivered on demand to an organisation using the internet. In cloud computing, organisations access their data and programs over the internet instead of accessing their own hard drive locally. 

Advantages of cloud computing

Cost effective: the cost of providing software, maintenance and upgrades for cloud computing is cheaper than buying software licences for multiple users. Cloud computing providers also offer options such as 'pay as you go'. An organisation can take advantage of the flexibility offered by the cloud by increasing or decreasing their demand for bandwidth.

Unlimited storage: if an organisation is using their own hardware resources there is a limit to the storage capacity of the hard drives. In the cloud, unlimited storage capacity is available.

Software updates: the cloud provides organisations with software and automatic software updates. This removes the need for an organisation to spend time manually scheduling and installing it themselves.

Backup and recovery: the responsibility for this sits with the cloud provider and therefore there is no need to have additional storage devices available for backup files or procedures for data recovery. In the cloud, data is backed up automatically at regular intervals.

Greater accessibility to information: once signed up to a cloud provider, employees of an organisation can access their information anywhere, and from any device, as long as they have an internet connection. This allows greater flexibility for employees in choosing where they work from. 

Reduction in carbon footprint: There are less technological requirements needed for cloud computing, and thus, less of a carbon footprint.

Disadvantages of cloud computing

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