Definition
Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence over the Internet the cloud. Instead of owning and maintaining physical data centers and servers, you can access technology services on an as-needed basis from a cloud provider. This model allows for faster innovation, flexible resources, and economies of scale, meaning you only pay for cloud services you use. For instance, Netflix streams its content globally using cloud infrastructure, allowing it to scale its services to millions of users. Unlike traditional on premises IT infrastructure, cloud computing offers on demand self service and broad network access. This fundamental concept is crucial for understanding modern IT architecture and is tested on exams like the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate and the Certified Cloud Security Professional.