The development of information and communication technology, ICT and connectivity has driven the growth of such innovative and revolutionary tools for businesses and organizations as Cloud servicesa concept that may seem abstract if we think of the literal meaning of “cloud”, but its usefulness is gaining more and more users.
This technology offers services and tools stored remotely (in the cloud) and run on users’ devices. It uses connectivity as a means of delivering them, as they are stored in the cloud.
In this way, companies can not only enjoy access to a wide range of software, storage services and other tools based on new technologies, but also store and manage companies’, organizations’ and individuals’ data in such a way that they are always available.
How Cloud Computing works
Cloud platforms provide immediate access to the information stored there, as well as to a number of services and tools such as data analysis, artificial intelligence (AI) and the management of the Internet of Things (IoT), so that these tools and services are always up to date.
How is this possible? Cloud Computing works on the design of a network of connected servers. Thus, the servers take on the role of administrators, that is, they are responsible for the functioning of the system, and make it possible for users to connect to the cloud service.
In this way, users connect to the cloud via an intuitive and easy-to-use front-end application interface. The other part of the cloud computing system is the cloud service, known as the backend.
There are four types of clouds: public, hybrid private and multi-cloud, depending on whether the services are provided via shared servers with multiple users, such as Google Cloud or Amazon Web Services, or whether access is limited to a specific group of users; while hybrid cloud is the result of connecting a private cloud with a public cloud, and if the services of several cloud providers are used, it becomes a multicloud.
Advantages of working in the cloud
The biggest advantage is that, since everything is stored in the cloud, everything is accessible via the Internet from anywhere on the planet and from any device, which, among other things, facilitates remote work and hybrid work (face-to-face and remote) and saves companies from to have and maintain its own physical servers, and this reduces costs.
Updates are performed almost automatically by the company that provides the cloud services, without this being done device by device. This gives companies access to state-of-the-art tools and powerful connectivity infrastructures at no additional cost.
Mobility is another of the key benefits of Cloud Computing. Companies and organizations become more efficient by having quick and secure access to innovative tools that facilitate their work; the benefit from the flexibility of digitization by offering customized and scalable solutions, depending on the needs of the moment, and only paying for it. In this way, companies can start more ambitious projects without having to think about large expenses.
Without losing control of their digital resources, customers of these services enjoy constant maintenance of the connection infrastructures, as well as support for them, provided by the company providing the Cloud Computing service, which guarantees total integration with existing tools and infrastructures, without the need for additional investments .
Cyber security in the cloud
However, security is probably the most prominent feature of cloud computing. These services guarantee total confidentiality of the stored information, as well as prevention of cyber attacks on these platforms, as they can stop any type of attack or hacking attempt by unknown users.
Sectors such as public administration, banking, defense, health and industry, among others, already use this type of service, due to the reliability it provides. This is achieved thanks to the use of Blockchain, which data security is paramount: from data storage and management, to the administration of virtual desktops and tools specifically aimed at sales and customer management, such as CRM (Customer Relationship Management) or ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) applications, or the creation of backup copies. Thus, in the event of a crisis, data recovery is fast and reliable.
Blockchain is a decentralized technology that can track all access to the cloud. The use of both technologies has grown so much that there is even talk of Blockchain solutions in the cloud, facilitating their implementation in all types of businesses.
Gaia-X: European Cloud Computing Project
Following the success of cloud services already offered by major technology companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Google, IBM, Tencent and Alibaba, Europe has launched a project called GAIA-X. It aims to be a safe alternative in a market led by the US and China, since data is already part of the infrastructure of the digital economyas the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Digital Transformation points out.
GAIA-X is a European non-profit association of companies created to promote digital sovereignty in cloud environments. It aims to become a common European cloud-based data infrastructure that offers access control and re-use opportunities for those who produce information, by creating national hubs.
This project is in the framework of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan and is supported by the next generation of EU funds to promote the so-called data economy, which requires a highly developed cloud, as well as “infrastructure services to store and process data, an architecture to share data between the different actors and high capacity, secure, resilient and reliable connection”, according to the ministry.
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