The cloud is a term for data storage through which users can share, store or otherwise handle large amounts of information and data. In this article, we explain simply what the cloud is and how it can help you in practice. We also outline the main advantages and disadvantages of using cloud services.

What is the cloud and what is it for?

The cloud, also called cloud storage, is an online service that lets you store, keep and manage your data, such as various personal or business files, documents, photos and videos. Your data are stored on internet-connected cloud servers located in data centres in various places around the world. The cloud is a service that companies or individuals can use at any time through a paid subscription or as part of a software or platform service.

Forms of cloud services

Cloud-based services can take many different forms, for example:

• Web hosting.
• File sharing.
• Distribution of software and other services.
• Storing and keeping files, photos, videos, personal and company records, documents, contracts, employee, business or other operational data, projects and other necessary information.
• Cloud computing, which refers to using several interconnected servers to share work activities, projects or other specific tasks.

Basic types of clouds (cloud storage)

The basic types of cloud are public, private and hybrid cloud. Below we briefly introduce their main features.

Public cloud

This is shared infrastructure operated by an external service provider. In this case, your data are stored in the external provider’s data centres, which can be located anywhere in the world. The cloud provider is responsible for the overall operation and comprehensive management of the cloud environment, including hardware, software and the entire data centre. The customer, who usually rents the storage space, is in this case only a user of the service.

Note:

A public cloud, however, does not mean that anyone can access the stored data. The customer can, for example, stipulate that their infrastructure is available only to their family, employees or company partners. No one else can get to the stored content, data and information.

Private cloud

This is space located in the company’s own data centre. Here, the company itself operates, manages, administers and maintains the cloud in-house. In practice, this solution is usually somewhat more expensive and requires extra costs for the necessary skilled staff, hardware and software.

Hybrid cloud

This is a combination of both models above. Some services run on publicly available infrastructure with an external provider, and some are stored on the company’s private cloud. The private cloud usually holds the company’s sensitive data, and access to these data or to individual levels is specified for particular employees or other people.

Advantages and disadvantages of cloud services

The undeniable advantages of the cloud include higher productivity, made possible by the fast flow and circulation of data, documents and information. Sharing resources generally leads to more efficient company processes, which also reduces costs for staff and other work tasks. Costs are further reduced when a company rents cloud services rather than managing them itself.

Another advantage of cloud services is the ability to store large amounts of data in one place and give a larger number of people, or specified individuals and groups, access to them and the ability to work with them.

A disadvantage in practice may be that various sensitive personal and business information, data and documents are stored on someone else’s hardware, sometimes in a place you will never get to and may never have heard of. This applies to public or hybrid clouds.

A growing threat today is also potential cyberattacks, whose aim is mainly to steal sensitive data and information in order to misuse them in various ways against individuals and companies.

Conclusion

The cloud is a modern way of storing and processing data over the internet that brings companies and private individuals many benefits, such as:

• availability of stored and managed data, content and information,
• flexibility in working with stored and shared data,
• fast access, the ability to share data and collaborate over long distances,
• productivity and efficiency of work, workflows and processes,
• the ability to store large volumes of data in one place,
• cost savings.

The cloud lets users access files stored in their own or external data centres from any device with an internet connection. This greatly simplifies many corporate processes and supports remote collaboration. The cloud is now one of the fixtures of the digital world, and its importance will likely grow in the future along with increasing technological demands in various fields.

This article is an output of the project “Multitenant Cybersecurity Operations Center Delivered as an Open Cloud Service with Machine Learning Elements.” Project code – 09I05-03-V02-00010.