Definition
Cloud technology refers to the delivery of computing services including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence over the Internet. This model allows for faster innovation, flexible resources, and economies of scale, meaning you only pay for cloud services you use. It enables organizations to access IT resources on demand without the need for significant upfront investment or management of physical infrastructure. For instance, a startup can quickly deploy a web application using cloud services instead of buying and maintaining its own servers. Unlike traditional on-premises IT, cloud technology abstracts away the underlying hardware complexity. Understanding cloud technology is crucial for roles covered in certifications like AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate and CompTIA Cloud+.