The term "Cloud" is just another way of saying "The Internet". If data is stored "somewhere" else and the physical location is not know to you or a concern, you could say that it is in the Cloud. When someone says "it's in the cloud" it just means it's at a location reached by the internet and probably viewed as a web site.
The Cloud icon was used years ago to represent large networks. Specifically, it was used to represent SNA ( System Network Architecture ). The Cloud represented vast network connectivity and resources through which systems and users connected.
Today, we often use the Cloud to represent the Internet - not just the World Wide Web function and sites but the actual network. As more and more function became available in the internet, lines became blurred as to where and who was doing work and storing data for us. Sites started offering function either free or fee based through web sites and that business has been expanding very quickly since.
The simplest form of a "Cloud" application is something like DropBox or OneDrive. Typically these apps or sites use a small application on the users local system which works with an application running on a remote system operated by the "Cloud" provider. Some of these applications are initially free but encourage the user to purchase additional function or space.
Next up the chain for "Cloud" applications are fee based software products which actually run in the "Cloud". An example of this type application would be the Cloud version of Quickbooks. Instead of running the software on a local machine or network server, it actually runs on a system owned by the vendor. Typically, all functions of backup, etc. are done remotely as well. The applications generally are subscription based. Applications such as this offer reduced initial expense as their primary advantage.
At the top of the food chain for "Cloud" applications would be the use of virtual servers hosted by a large provider. Examples of these are The IBM Cloud, Microsoft Azure, Rackspace and others. In this scenario the customer pays a monthly or annual fee for servers which connect to their users over the internet. Many organizations are replacing the traditional desktop computer with thin client devices connected by Remote Desktop Processing to a virtual desktop running on one of the hosted remote servers.
In these cases, the level of backup, co-located backup processors, network bandwidth and support are individually defined based on the customers need and costs.
In the old world ( that I grew up in ) these services would be called a Data Center or Time Sharing Center.
So, we can see some of the advantages of using "Cloud" resources but there may also be some disadvantages.
Some customers are concerned about security at these "Cloud" sites. Questions include:
- How secure are the physical resources?
- Where is the backup maintained?
- Are the networks internal to the site secure?
- How Secure?
Recently, we've been hearing frequently about "Hacked" sites and the data loss that occurs.
A standard in large enterprises and becoming standard in "Cloud" subscriptions is a thing call a Service Level Agreement. A SLA defines expected and sometimes guaranteed performance levels - response times, availability, etc. They also can, and should, define Security standards. A SLA is something that should be carefully reviewed with a trusted advisor who is knowledgeable and experienced in environment you are looking into.
So the bottom line is that the "Cloud" can offer some exceptional improvements in terms of initial expense, ease of propagation of software and data, ability to connect from anywhere and reduced staff but they can also introduce exposures that you need to very carefully understand and plan for.
