CloudService

Cloud service is a model for delivering information technology resources and services over the internet. It enables on-demand access to shared pools of configurable computing resources, including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, and analytics, typically billed on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Service models commonly include infrastructure as a service (IaaS), which provides virtualized computing resources; platform as a service (PaaS), which offers development and runtime platforms; and software as a service (SaaS), which delivers fully functional applications over the internet. Function as a service (FaaS) is often described as serverless computing, abstracting server management from developers.

Deployment models describe how cloud resources are allocated. Public cloud resources are operated by third-party providers and shared among multiple customers. Private clouds run within an organization’s own data center. Hybrid clouds combine public and private clouds, while multicloud uses services from multiple providers to meet specific needs or avoid vendor lock-in.

Typical cloud characteristics include on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity, and measured service with pay-for-use billing.

Common use cases include hosting websites and applications, data storage and backup, data analytics and processing, development and testing environments, disaster recovery, and collaboration tools.

Security and governance involve a shared responsibility model in which the cloud provider manages physical infrastructure and certain controls, while customers manage data, identity, and application security, with attention to compliance, data privacy, and risk management.

The cloud services market is led by several large public cloud platforms, with offerings from multiple technology companies. Adoption ranges from startups to large enterprises, spanning public, private, hybrid, and multicloud configurations.