6 Reading : Cloud Computing

Read the following article and...................

Cloud computing is one of the main technologies driving the way we work and play. In
addition to
helping companies reduce IT headaches, the cloud also helps boost productivity and helps
small
businesses leverage the latest in computing technology for a much lower cost.
You come across cloud computing every day. When you check your Gmail inbox, look at a
picture on your Dropbox account, or watch your favourite shows on Netflix, you’re accessing
information that is located on a server somewhere in the world. Those emails, video files, or
whatever else you need are not being stored on your computer, but you can access them
quickly,
easily, and cheaply thanks to modern cloud computing technology.
Cloud computing is a term used to describe the delivery of on-demand computing resources
—
hardware, storage, databases, networking, and software—to businesses and individuals via
the
internet. Cloud computing enables organizations to access and store information without
managing their own physical devices or IT infrastructure. As the amount of data being
generated and shared continues to increase and consumers demand more access to online
services, it has become more difficult for companies to continue operating their businesses
on in-house computing servers.
Similar to the way you check your email inbox online through a web browser, cloud
computing enables companies to access and manage resources and applications anywhere
there’s an internet connection. Cloud services are also typically managed and maintained by
a third-party service provider, allowing IT teams to rapidly adjust compute and storage
without having to pay upfront infrastructure costs or set up and manage yet more systems
and applications.
You can choose public, private, or hybrid cloud deployments and the service model based on
the level of flexibility, control, and management you need. The three main types of cloud
service models include: Infrastructure as a service (IaaS), Platform as a service (PaaS)
and Software as a service (SaaS).
The most important reason why cloud computing is growing rapidly is the various benefits it
offers. Cloud computing gives your business more flexibility. You can quickly scale resources
and storage up to meet business demands without having to invest in physical infrastructure.
Companies don’t need to pay for or build the infrastructure needed to support their highest
load levels. Likewise, they can quickly scale down if resources aren’t being used.
Whatever cloud service model you choose, you only pay for the resources you actually use.
This helps you avoid overbuilding and overprovisioning your data centre and gives your IT
teams back valuable time to focus on more strategic work.
Cloud computing is essentially built for improving work processes, and that includes data
flows between co-workers and business partners. Organizations demand more apps for file
sharing and streamlined workflows. Remote workers can instantly connect and communicate
with fellow employees and important clients.
Despite popular perceptions, cloud computing can actually strengthen your security posture.
Cloud providers ensure that they maintain the strictest security practices for their customers.
From sophisticated digital safeguards to high-tech physical ones, cloud providers make
cybersecurity a top priority.
The data centres employed by Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, some of the top cloud
providers in the world, are basically fortresses protecting your data. And they can afford to
hire the best and brightest cybersecurity experts available, allowing them to leverage the
knowledge to continually improve their security measure and provide a safe place for their
customer’s data.
Cloud providers also offer backup and disaster recovery features. Storing data in the cloud
rather than locally can help prevent data loss in the event of an emergency, such as
hardware malfunction, malicious threats, or even simple user error.
While cloud computing is vastly beneficial, it also has some risks and concerns that should
not be overlooked. One of the most common drawbacks of cloud computing is that it relies
on an internet connection. Traditional computing uses a hardwired connection to access data
on servers or storage devices. With cloud computing, a bad connection could keep you from
accessing the information or applications you need. Even top cloud service providers can
experience downtime due to a natural disaster or slower performance caused by an
unforeseen
technical issue that might impact connectivity. You could be blocked from accessing cloud
services until the problem is resolved.
Although most cloud providers apply several security measures to keep hackers away from
their cloud infrastructure, the incidence of data breaches indicates that cloud computing is
still vulnerable to attacks. This makes storing business-critical files and crucial data in virtual
data centres a potential risk.
At this point, it’s clear that the advantages outweigh the limitations. Most companies today
aren’t considering whether they should migrate to the cloud but what they should migrate.
The cloud delivers more flexibility and reliability, increased performance and efficiency, and
helps to lower IT costs. It also improves innovation, allowing organizations to achieve faster
time to market and incorporate AI and machine learning use cases into their strategies.
These primary benefits can also translate into other related benefits that can help to boost
productivity, support remote workforces, and improve operational efficiency.

Now choose the right option.

1 How does cloud computing help small businesses get the most of the latest in

computing technology ?

a By boosting IT headaches b By managing physical devices and IT infrastructures

c By increasing costs d By providing access to technology at a lower cost

2 In cloud computing, what does the term “on-demand resources” refer to?

a Resources that are free of charge b Resources that are always available

c Resources requested and provisioned as needed

d Resources that are shared by all users

3 Why has cloud computing become more crucial as the demand for online services

increases?

a It is difficult for companies to operate on in-house computing servers.

b The cost of physical servers decreases. c Internet speed becomes slower.

d Cloud providers offer unlimited data storage for free.

4 How does cloud computing help companies in terms of tailoring compute and

storage resources?

a By limiting flexibility and control b By paying for each resource individually

c By managing and maintaining resources in-house

d By allowing IT teams to rapidly adjust without up-front costs

5 What is a key benefit of utilizing cloud computing for businesses?

a Increased physical storage b Unlimited free resources

c Rapid scalability to meet demand d Decreased flexibility

6 How do companies finance resources and storage when using cloud computing?

a By paying a fixed monthly fee b By purchasing lifetime licenses

c By trading computing resources b By only paying for the resources they actually use.

7 Why do organization demand more apps for file sharing and streamlined
workflows?
a To reduce flexibility b To improve data flows between co-workers and business
partners
c to limit off usage d To focus on physical infrastructure

8 How does cloud computing affect an organization’s security stance?

a It might strengthen the security posture by using advanced safeguards.

b Cloud computing increases the risk of physical threats to data.

c It exclusively relies on physical security measures.

d It is presumed to weaken cybersecurity substantially.

9 What do cloud providers offer to mitigate the risk of data loss?

a One-time data backups b Free unlimited data storage

c Backup and disaster recovery features d Physical data retrieval services

10 What could potentially block access to cloud services?

a An internet connection issue that leads to downtime b A high volume of data being stored

c Cloud service providers deciding to revoke access arbitrarily

d Regular maintenance activities

11 What are most companies currently focusing on with regards to cloud computing?
a Determining whether to migrate to cloud b Deciding what applications to stop using

c Considering what work processes to digitalize d What they should migrate to the cloud

12 How can cloud computing help organizations achieve faster time to market?

a Lowering IT cost b Improving innovation

c Incorporating AI and machine learning d Boosting productivity