Login
What is a cloud? And how does cloud computing work?
The most important points from the text in brief
The cloud is a network of interconnected data centers that stores data and processes tasks.
Theadvantages are worldwide access and data backup, while the disadvantages are internet dependency and data protection risks.
Cloud computing uses many servers that provide flexible resources.
Strong passwords, two-factor authentication, data protection checks and encryption are important for secure use.
Cloud computing simply explained
1. what is a cloud?
The amount of data we process and store every day is growing and growing. And with it, the need for storage space. Even though modern computers have plenty of storage space these days, storing data in the cloud is becoming increasingly popular. But what exactly is this cloud?
Cloud refers to a variety of (large) data centers that are all connected to the Internet. Numerous cloud providers operate these data centers in an automated manner to enable their users, both private users and companies, to store data or handle complicated tasks.
The main advantages of a cloud are the constant availability of data from all end devices and from anywhere, but also data backup outside "one's own four walls". Disadvantages include being tied to an Internet connection, possible additional costs and the fact that data must be entrusted to an external provider.
Everything in that Cloud?
2. how does cloud computing work?
In cloud computing, a large number of computers take over previously defined tasks. For example, this can involve the storage of data as well as the execution of complicated program sequences.
The number of computers or servers involved remains hidden in the background, so to speak "cloudy" and unclear for users, which is why we speak of cloud computing or the cloud for short.
The great advantage of cloud computing is that even if there is an isolated server failure, this has no effect on the execution of the task.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has defined five necessary characteristics for cloud computing:
- On-demand self-service - users must be able to have services provided unilaterally and without human interaction.
- Access with known technologies ("Broad network access") - The services are accessible with standard mechanisms, i.e. users must be able to access the cloud via their own Internet connection and with their own end devices (e.g. PC, smartphone or tablet).
- Resource pooling - users see the bundled resources of the cloud provider as a "cloud" ("multiple mandate principle"). Users therefore have no control and no overview of which and how many servers are performing the respective task.
- Resource adaptation ("rapid elasticity") - The resources available to individual users are adapted to the situation - if necessary automatically - and can scale up or down as required. The individual user is given the impression that there is unlimited storage space available.
- Monitoring of the service ("Measured service") - The use of the service, not the data of the users, is monitored and controlled by cloud systems on the basis of measurable figures and presented as a report. This is intended to continuously optimize the utilization of the individual servers within the cloud.
3. 11 tips for secure cloud usage
- Ensure sufficient basic protection for your access devices such as laptop, smartphone and/or tablet.
- Secure access to cloud services with a secure password, or even better, with two-factor authentication (2FA).
- Mobile devices that use apps to access cloud services should also be adequately secured against misuse.
- Check the privacy policy of the respective cloud provider carefully so that you know how your data is processed. Also consider the server location (keyword "DSGVO").
- Find out about liability issues in the event of loss of your data by the provider.
- Check the provider's terms and conditions to see whether your data could be passed on to third parties for commercial purposes.
- Find out about the cloud provider's security assurances regarding the confidentiality, integrity and availability of your data, for example in the event of a data center failure.
- When choosing your cloud provider, make sure that your data is transferred over a secure connection such as https.
- If you want to store personal data in the cloud, you should encrypt this data yourself before loading it into the cloud.
- If you share data from the cloud with other people, pay attention to the type of sharing. Limit it in time and share only as much data as necessary.
- Before you entrust your data to a cloud provider, you should check how time-consuming it is to remove the data from the cloud again.
4. Cloud Computing von A bis Z
Cloud
Community Cloud
In this case, several institutions access jointly used and managed resources. Such a joint project could, for example, help universities to share costs. In industry, the ENX network, an association of the European automotive industry for the secure exchange of critical development, purchasing and production control data, is a good example of a community cloud.