As businesses grow, managing IT infrastructure efficiently becomes crucial. Cloud computing offers scalable, cost-effective solutions that eliminate the need for on-premises hardware while enhancing performance, security, and flexibility.

But what exactly is cloud computing, and how does it work? In this FAQ article, we answer the most commonly searched questions to help you understand cloud adoption, deployment models, and best practices with confidence.

‍What is cloud computing?

Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services—such as servers, storage, databases, networking, software, and analytics—over the internet. Instead of owning and maintaining physical infrastructure, businesses and individuals can access resources on-demand from cloud providers like AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. This enables cost savings, scalability, flexibility, and improved security.

What is internet cloud?

The internet cloud refers to a network of remote servers hosted on the internet that store, manage, and process data, as opposed to local servers or personal computers. It allows businesses and individuals to access computing resources like storage, processing power, and applications via the internet, rather than relying on their own on-premises infrastructure.

What does laaS mean?

IaaS stands for Infrastructure as a Service. It refers to a cloud computing model where users can rent virtualised computing resources over the internet. Rather than purchasing and maintaining physical servers, users can access compute power, storage, and networking resources as a service.

What does SaaS mean?

SaaS (Software as a Service) refers to a cloud-based software delivery model where applications are hosted and managed by a third-party provider and accessed via the internet. It eliminates the need for businesses to install and maintain software on their own infrastructure. Popular SaaS offerings include Office 365, Zoho, and GitLab, which streamline operations, improve collaboration, and reduce overhead costs for businesses.

How does cloud computing work?

Cloud computing delivers computing resources such as servers, storage, databases, and software over the internet, eliminating the need for physical infrastructure. Businesses can access these services on demand, scaling up or down as needed.

This model is built on virtualisation, where physical servers are divided into multiple virtual machines that share computing resources. Cloud computing is offered in three main service models:

• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) – Provides virtual machines, storage, and networking.
• Platform as a Service (PaaS) – Offers development tools and frameworks for building applications.
• Software as a Service (SaaS) – Delivers applications over the internet without requiring installation.

What are the benefits of cloud computing?

Cloud computing offers businesses enhanced scalability, flexibility, and cost efficiency, enabling organisations to access powerful computing resources without the overhead of maintaining physical infrastructure. It also accelerates innovation by providing instant access to cutting-edge technologies and services.

Key Benefits of Cloud Computing

• Scalability & Flexibility: Cloud computing allows businesses to scale resources up or down based on demand, ensuring they only pay for what they use while adapting to changing needs with ease.
• Cost Efficiency: By eliminating the need for large upfront capital investments in hardware and reducing maintenance costs, cloud services provide a more affordable and predictable pricing model.
• Business Continuity: Cloud platforms offer high availability, backup, and disaster recovery options, ensuring that your business can continue operating smoothly even during system failures or data losses.
• Access to Advanced Technologies: With cloud services, businesses can leverage artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data analytics, and other advanced technologies without having to build and maintain the infrastructure themselves.
• Enhanced Collaboration: Cloud applications enable teams to work together in real time, regardless of location, improving communication, collaboration, and productivity.
• Security: Leading cloud providers offer robust security features, such as encryption and multi-factor authentication, to protect data and applications from breaches.

What are the disadvantages of cloud computing?

While cloud computing offers numerous benefits, it also has potential downsides, such as data security concerns and the risk of service outages. These can be particularly impactful for businesses that rely heavily on constant uptime and have sensitive data to protect.

Key Challenges of Cloud Computing‍

• Security & Privacy Risks: Sensitive data may be exposed if poorly managed.
• Downtime Risks: Connectivity or provider outages can affect operations.
• Vendor Lock-In: Switching providers can be expensive and complex.
• Cost Overruns: Without governance, cloud usage can exceed budgets.
• Limited Control: Infrastructure settings may not be fully customisable.

Can cloud computing save money?

Yes, cloud computing can save money by eliminating upfront hardware costs, reducing IT maintenance expenses, and offering flexible pricing models. Instead of investing in expensive on-premises infrastructure, businesses can pay only for the resources they use, scaling up or down as needed.

How is cloud storage cost efficient?

Cloud storage is cost-efficient because it eliminates the need for expensive on-premises hardware, reduces maintenance costs, and offers flexible pricing models. Businesses only pay for the storage they use, with the ability to scale up or down based on demand.

Why are cloud costs so high?

Cloud costs can be high due to inefficient resource usage, lack of optimisation, and hidden expenses like data transfer fees. While cloud computing offers flexibility, businesses often overspend by over-provisioning resources, failing to leverage cost-saving tools, or not monitoring their usage effectively.

Key Reasons for High Cloud Costs:

1. Over-Provisioning – Many businesses allocate more CPU, memory, or storage than needed, leading to unnecessary costs.
2. Idle or Underutilised Resources – Instances and storage that are running but not being used still incur charges.
3. Data Transfer & Egress Fees – Moving data between cloud regions, across providers, or back on-premises can be expensive.
4. Lack of Reserved Instances or Savings Plans – On-demand pricing is convenient but costly; committing to long-term plans (AWS Reserved Instances, Azure Savings Plans) can lower costs.
5. Storage Mismanagement – Keeping all data in high-performance storage instead of using archival tiers (AWS S3 Glacier, Google Cloud Coldline) increases costs.
6. Unoptimised Networking – Misconfigured load balancers, excess API calls, and unnecessary replication across multiple zones can drive up expenses.

What is reduced cost in cloud computing?

Reduced cost in cloud computing refers to the financial benefits gained by optimising cloud resources, minimising waste, and leveraging cost-saving strategies. Cloud computing lowers IT expenses by eliminating upfront hardware costs, reducing maintenance overhead, and offering flexible pricing models.

What are the 4 types of cloud computing?

The four main types of cloud computing are Public, Private, Hybrid and Community:

Public Cloud:

• The cloud infrastructure is owned and operated by a third-party cloud service provider (e.g., Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud).
• Resources like storage, computing power, and applications are shared among multiple users (multi-tenancy).
• Pros: Cost-effective, scalable, and easy to manage since the cloud provider handles maintenance and upgrades.
• Cons: Limited control and security concerns since resources are shared.

Private Cloud:

• The cloud infrastructure is used exclusively by one organisation. It can be hosted either on-premises or by a third-party provider.
• Offers more control over security, compliance, and customisation.
• Pros: Enhanced security, better control, and customisation to meet the organisation’s specific needs.
• Cons: More expensive, as the organisation must manage and maintain the infrastructure.

Hybrid Cloud:

• A combination of both public and private clouds, allowing data and applications to be shared between them.
• This model allows organisations to keep critical workloads on the private cloud while using the public cloud for non-sensitive workloads.
• Pros: Flexibility, cost-efficiency, scalability, and enhanced security by keeping sensitive data private.
• Cons: Complexity in management and integration between the two environments.

Community Cloud:

• The cloud infrastructure is shared between several organisations that have common concerns, such as security, compliance, or specific business objectives.
• Typically managed by a third-party provider, or by the organisations themselves.
• Pros: Cost-effective as resources are shared, and it offers tailored security and compliance features for the group.
• Cons: Less flexibility compared to public or private clouds, and may be less scalable.
• Each type of cloud offers distinct benefits, and the choice of which to use depends on factors like security needs, cost, scalability, and how much control the organisation wants over the infrastructure.

What are the disadvantages of cloud computing?

The disadvantages of cloud computing include potential security and privacy concerns, as sensitive data is stored off-premises and managed by third-party providers. Additionally, businesses may face downtime risks if cloud providers experience outages, and there can be issues with vendor lock-in, making it difficult to switch providers. Cost management can also be challenging if cloud resources are not properly optimized. However, by leveraging solutions from partners like AWS, Google Cloud, and Cloudflare, Deimos helps mitigate these risks with robust security measures, backup strategies, and cost optimization tools.

Is it safe to use cloud service?

Yes, cloud services are generally safe to use, but their security largely depends on the service provider and how users manage their data. Leading cloud providers like Google Cloud, AWS, Azure, and Cloudflare invest heavily in advanced security measures, including data encryption, access control, and continuous monitoring to protect user data.

However, it’s important for businesses and individuals to take responsibility for:

• Data Encryption: Ensure data is encrypted both in transit and at rest.
• Access Control: Use strong authentication mechanisms, like Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), to restrict access.
• Compliance: Choose cloud providers that adhere to industry standards and regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, etc.
• User Awareness: Ensure employees are educated about best practices to avoid security risks like phishing or weak passwords.

By combining a reputable cloud provider's security offerings with proactive management and monitoring, you can securely use cloud services for a wide range of business and personal needs.

How does cloud sharing work?

Cloud sharing works by allowing users to store and access files on cloud platforms (such as Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox) and then share those files or folders with others over the internet. Here's how it typically works:

• Upload Files to the Cloud: First, files are uploaded to a cloud storage provider via their web interface or application. These files are stored securely on the provider's servers.
• Set Permissions: After uploading, the file owner can set permissions to control who can view or edit the files. Permissions can be set at the file or folder level, and sharing can be limited to specific users or made public. Most cloud services allow you to set read-only, editing, or full control access.
• Share Links: The owner generates a shareable link to the file or folder, which can be sent via email, messaging apps, or embedded on websites. These links provide access to the shared content without needing the recipient to have an account on the cloud service.
• Collaborate in Real-Time: Many cloud services, such as Google Docs or Microsoft Office 365, offer real-time collaboration features. Multiple users can access and edit files simultaneously, with changes reflected immediately.
• Access from Any Device: Cloud sharing enables users to access files from anywhere, using any device (computer, smartphone, tablet), provided they have internet access and the necessary permissions.

Overall, cloud sharing makes it easy to collaborate, share, and access files securely, without the need for physical storage or email attachments.

How does cloud networking work?

Cloud networking is the practice of using a cloud service to manage and facilitate communication between devices, systems, and users over a network, enabling data access, storage, and sharing. It involves the integration of traditional networking with cloud services, allowing organisations to use the internet or private connections to access and manage resources hosted in the cloud.

How do I transfer files from one Google Drive to another?

Transferring files from one Google Drive to another is a straightforward process. As a Deimos client, we can help you with this.

What is AWS for?

AWS (Amazon Web Services) provides a comprehensive suite of cloud services designed to help businesses with computing, storage, networking, databases, machine learning, and more. It enables companies to scale applications, store large amounts of data, and run complex workloads without the need for on-premise infrastructure. AWS is used for everything from hosting websites and applications to running AI models and managing large-scale data processing. With tools like AWS Lambda, EC2, and S3, AWS allows businesses to be agile, cost-effective, and scalable, making it a go-to solution for enterprises across various industries.

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Deimos is your trusted partner for hybrid and multi-cloud solutions, helping businesses navigate the complexities of modern cloud environments. As a leading cloud partner, we work with all major providers, including Google Cloud, AWS, Azure, and Huawei, ensuring you get the best fit for your infrastructure needs. Beyond cloud services, we collaborate with top technology partners like Datadog, Zoho, JumpCloud, and Cloudflare to enhance security, monitoring, and operational efficiency. Whether you're using a single cloud, multi-cloud or hybrid cloud approach, Deimos provides the expertise to drive your success. Click here to learn more.

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