The NIST definition of cloud computing lists the essential characteristics of cloud computing, which include on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity, and measured service. The characteristic I would like to hone in on is resource pooling. Resource pooling allows for a wide range of computing resources, both physical and virtual, to be shared dynamically among multiple users. An important component of this is that the customer has no control or knowledge of the location of these resources. This adds a layer of security to cloud computing, as it becomes incredibly difficult for attackers to discover the location of these resources since even internal users are not aware.
Cloud computing has become increasingly popular for consumers and businesses. There are three major cloud service models available such as Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). These service models vary depending on what the vendor (Microsoft, AWS, etc.) would manage and what the consumer will manage. For SaaS the consumer uses the software such as email (Gmail or Exchange) and the vendor would manage everything. PaaS the vendor manages the servers and infrastructure and the consumer could install any applications onto the server. Lastly, IaaS the vendor will host the server, but the consumer would be responsible for installing operating systems and any other software they wish.
I thought this was a really clear, straightforward high-level explanation of the key characteristics of the cloud, and then different models that a cloud service or deployment can take. In my experience, particularly for those outside of the IT field, the cloud can be a confusing concept. I thought this very clearly explained common elements of the cloud and then differences among different modes (for example Saas vs, PaaS vs. Iaas). I definitely plan to use this as a reference in the future to serve as a resource for people who may not be familiar with the cloud and what the basic terminology means.
Hi Meghan,
Agreed. This is simple but informative document on cloud computing. It conveys cloud computing in a non-technical language which can be easily understood by everyone across the broad, specifically non-IT folks, as you mentioned.
Cloud computing services has become a valuable asset in delivering IT resources and has become an on-demand service with essential characteristics, service and deployment models. With these features being the core to cloud computing, this allows users to access technology services, and take advantage of computing and storing data. In Measured Service, being one of the essential characteristics to cloud computing, the cloud provider measures how much service the customer uses (whether it be storage, processing, or user accounts that are active) and then they are billed based on a pay or charge-per-use basis.
Hi Christopher – the capability of a cloud service provider to measure the service it provides its customers and charge them accordingly is one of the reason cloud computing has become so popular. Organizations used to be required to front the initial costs of building its their infrastructure and information systems, then maintain that infrastructure even if their needs have shrunk. An enterprise now needs only pay for the resources it needs, when it needs it, without any upfront hardware costs.
As cloud computing becomes more popular, NIST has identified its meaning and created a simple taxonomy. Cloud computing is a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources. It has five essential characteristics: on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity, and measured service. It has three different service models: software as a service (SaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and infrastructure as a service (IaaS). It also has four types of deployment models: private cloud, community cloud, public cloud, and hybrid cloud. Those classifications provide clear guidance to the system planners, program manager, technologist, and others who adopt cloud computing in their system.
Hi To-Yin,
That is an interesting point that you bring up about cloud computing. Cloud computing does seem like the preferred method of data storage in the future for a variety of different types of businesses and organizations. Providers of cloud computing such as AWS and Google are expanding more and growing their revenue each year. Perhaps because the cloud is very attractive to organizations since it provides rapid elasticity and on-demand service.
I thought this reading was interesting because we are all working from home and learning online and a lot of what we do have shifted to depending significantly on the cloud. I learned about the different deployment models of the cloud: private cloud, community cloud, public cloud, and hybrid cloud. The private cloud is made exclusively by a single organization, owned or managed by the organization. I’m thinking corporations that would have their own would be corps such as Amazon, Google, or when companies use Microsoft 365 which is owned by Microsoft but the account if for the exclusive use of the company. A community cloud is a new concept to me and my first time learning about it. THe community cloud seems best used for companies collaborating on a project or a company giving clients a platform to reach out to them. Public cloud I would relate to as Google Drive, which is open to the general public, can be owend or managed by business, academic, or government. Lastly, the hybrid cloud, a combination of 2 or more cloud infrastructures, but bound together by technology.
For many people, the concept of cloud computing can seem confusing. I think this document did a good job explaining some of its characteristics and some of the different service models it is used in. Nothing I read in this publication was new to me, but some of the terms were still interesting to read. I did find the Service models section interesting. Software as a Service (SaaS) is something we work with regularly at work, so I have experienced the frustrations of an application being updated with no warning from the creator, which they have the right to do. As outlined in the section, users do not have the ability to modify anything when using a SaaS solution, but the provider can.
Cloud computing have become the foundation of many disruptive technologies. Moving to the cloud provides the ability to access information anywhere and anytime. However, while cloud computing provides many benefits, at the same time, it also introduces various risk that need to be governed and managed by user organizations. This is a highly detailed document provides notes and baseline to any individual who is considering cloud computing. The document has provided a formal definition and five characteristics of cloud computing. It also offers three service models and four deployment models that could be used in any particular business operation.
An interesting takeaway from this reading is the three service models offered by cloud computing, that is, SaaS, PaaS & IaaS. These models offer an opportunity for all businesses, in particular SMEs to initiate or even scale up or down their operations without a significant outlay of cash for one-time investments. While cloud computing presents an opportunity for businesses to readily access software, storage, network and other computing resources, albeit, at a cost, cloud computing is not without information security risks. These could include data privacy, data ownership, HIPAA/PCI regulations, etc. that a business should carefully evaluate prior to investing in public cloud computing.
The biggest takeaway here should be that there are so many different flavors of cloud computing. There are so many different options and services available. You can run a private cloud yourself or purchase it through a contract with a vendor. The opposite would be a public cloud available to the public and run by the provider. Community clouds are sort of a mix where several entities manage or purchase a private cloud together. And then the hybrid model where the other different types can be linked together and connected. On top of that, cloud isn’t just storage. There is Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). That list is even changing all the time.
I think this document was clear and straightforward and provides a high level overview of cloud computer. This is a perfect document to share with non-IT folks or anyone not familiar with the cloud. My organization is jst beginning to migrate some services for the cloud and this will be a reference document that I share with many individuals as we start to migrate to the cloud. I was not familiar with the measured service characteristic, which is an automated way of monitoring, controlling, and optimizing resource usage. This is beneficial for both providers and consumers as it provides transparancy regarding usage and consumers only pay for what they use (also known as the “pay as you go” model.
This documentation defines the scope of cloud computing very well. It covers the characteristics, the service models, and the deployment models. Definitions are provided for each item to further define the scope of the cloud computing model organizations are facing today.
I like how you mention how the documentation defines the scope well. The document is short and sweet and doesn’t overcomplicate the definition like many documents tend to do.
Key takeaways from this relatively short document are an understanding of the ways that cloud computing services are defined. There are five essential characteristics that determine a computing service is a “cloud” service. Additionally, being aware of the software, platform and infrastructure as a service models, and understanding what each is designed to provide the end user, is critical for anyone who plans to rely on or develop a cloud service. Finally, each deployment model has costs and benefits associated, particularly with regards to security and ownership over the component systems.
An important key that I took from NIST 800 145 is that there are five fundamental characteristics of cloud computing. According to the document these are:
1) Cloud computing must have on-demand self-service
2) broad network access
3) resource pooling
4) rapid elasticity
5) measured service
I also thought it was interesting to note that there are three main types of cloud services such as software as a service (SaaS), infrastructure as a service (LAAS), and platform as a service (PAAS). Each different type of cloud service has different limitations in managing its applications, operating systems, or database.
Hi Elias- I think you did a great job summing up the key points. I think of all of the key points, the ability to have on-demand self-service is the most important. The entire point of the cloud is for individuals to have constant access to their data, no matter where they are. So, for a cloud provider, this needs to be a top concern.
I agree with Charlie, i think that you did a great job identifying the characteristics of the cloud computing. I also liked that you added comments about IaaS, PaaS and SaaS.
The cloud has always been a very buzz-wordy word. In my experiences with non-tech people, they have a hard time understanding that the cloud is still very much a physical location. Network security has evolved enough that companies can rely on storing their sensitive data in them, but plenty of the same rules still apply. Cloud services are basically any remote storage of servers, databases, etc… AWS, Azure, and Salesforce are all examples of cloud services.
The key take away that I got from this reading was the explanation of the various deployment methods. I’m familiar with the community, public, and hybrid deployment methods as I’ve either used one of these methods or seen them while auditing a client. However, I have not seen or used a private cloud deployment method. While the article did a great job of presenting the definition of cloud computing, I would like dive deeper into understanding the security risks related to each of the methods and how an organization would go about deciding what would be the best for them.
I thought that the article did a very good job explaining cloud computing. As a non-it professional the article was refreshing in having a greater understanding of the various cloud Platforms, IaaS, PaaS and Saas, The article also referenced several key attributes of cloud computing such as rapid elasticity
The NIST definition of cloud computing lists the essential characteristics of cloud computing, which include on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity, and measured service. The characteristic I would like to hone in on is resource pooling. Resource pooling allows for a wide range of computing resources, both physical and virtual, to be shared dynamically among multiple users. An important component of this is that the customer has no control or knowledge of the location of these resources. This adds a layer of security to cloud computing, as it becomes incredibly difficult for attackers to discover the location of these resources since even internal users are not aware.
Cloud computing has become increasingly popular for consumers and businesses. There are three major cloud service models available such as Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). These service models vary depending on what the vendor (Microsoft, AWS, etc.) would manage and what the consumer will manage. For SaaS the consumer uses the software such as email (Gmail or Exchange) and the vendor would manage everything. PaaS the vendor manages the servers and infrastructure and the consumer could install any applications onto the server. Lastly, IaaS the vendor will host the server, but the consumer would be responsible for installing operating systems and any other software they wish.
I thought this was a really clear, straightforward high-level explanation of the key characteristics of the cloud, and then different models that a cloud service or deployment can take. In my experience, particularly for those outside of the IT field, the cloud can be a confusing concept. I thought this very clearly explained common elements of the cloud and then differences among different modes (for example Saas vs, PaaS vs. Iaas). I definitely plan to use this as a reference in the future to serve as a resource for people who may not be familiar with the cloud and what the basic terminology means.
Hi Meghan,
Agreed. This is simple but informative document on cloud computing. It conveys cloud computing in a non-technical language which can be easily understood by everyone across the broad, specifically non-IT folks, as you mentioned.
Cloud computing services has become a valuable asset in delivering IT resources and has become an on-demand service with essential characteristics, service and deployment models. With these features being the core to cloud computing, this allows users to access technology services, and take advantage of computing and storing data. In Measured Service, being one of the essential characteristics to cloud computing, the cloud provider measures how much service the customer uses (whether it be storage, processing, or user accounts that are active) and then they are billed based on a pay or charge-per-use basis.
Hi Christopher – the capability of a cloud service provider to measure the service it provides its customers and charge them accordingly is one of the reason cloud computing has become so popular. Organizations used to be required to front the initial costs of building its their infrastructure and information systems, then maintain that infrastructure even if their needs have shrunk. An enterprise now needs only pay for the resources it needs, when it needs it, without any upfront hardware costs.
As cloud computing becomes more popular, NIST has identified its meaning and created a simple taxonomy. Cloud computing is a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources. It has five essential characteristics: on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity, and measured service. It has three different service models: software as a service (SaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and infrastructure as a service (IaaS). It also has four types of deployment models: private cloud, community cloud, public cloud, and hybrid cloud. Those classifications provide clear guidance to the system planners, program manager, technologist, and others who adopt cloud computing in their system.
Hi To-Yin,
That is an interesting point that you bring up about cloud computing. Cloud computing does seem like the preferred method of data storage in the future for a variety of different types of businesses and organizations. Providers of cloud computing such as AWS and Google are expanding more and growing their revenue each year. Perhaps because the cloud is very attractive to organizations since it provides rapid elasticity and on-demand service.
I thought this reading was interesting because we are all working from home and learning online and a lot of what we do have shifted to depending significantly on the cloud. I learned about the different deployment models of the cloud: private cloud, community cloud, public cloud, and hybrid cloud. The private cloud is made exclusively by a single organization, owned or managed by the organization. I’m thinking corporations that would have their own would be corps such as Amazon, Google, or when companies use Microsoft 365 which is owned by Microsoft but the account if for the exclusive use of the company. A community cloud is a new concept to me and my first time learning about it. THe community cloud seems best used for companies collaborating on a project or a company giving clients a platform to reach out to them. Public cloud I would relate to as Google Drive, which is open to the general public, can be owend or managed by business, academic, or government. Lastly, the hybrid cloud, a combination of 2 or more cloud infrastructures, but bound together by technology.
For many people, the concept of cloud computing can seem confusing. I think this document did a good job explaining some of its characteristics and some of the different service models it is used in. Nothing I read in this publication was new to me, but some of the terms were still interesting to read. I did find the Service models section interesting. Software as a Service (SaaS) is something we work with regularly at work, so I have experienced the frustrations of an application being updated with no warning from the creator, which they have the right to do. As outlined in the section, users do not have the ability to modify anything when using a SaaS solution, but the provider can.
Cloud computing have become the foundation of many disruptive technologies. Moving to the cloud provides the ability to access information anywhere and anytime. However, while cloud computing provides many benefits, at the same time, it also introduces various risk that need to be governed and managed by user organizations. This is a highly detailed document provides notes and baseline to any individual who is considering cloud computing. The document has provided a formal definition and five characteristics of cloud computing. It also offers three service models and four deployment models that could be used in any particular business operation.
An interesting takeaway from this reading is the three service models offered by cloud computing, that is, SaaS, PaaS & IaaS. These models offer an opportunity for all businesses, in particular SMEs to initiate or even scale up or down their operations without a significant outlay of cash for one-time investments. While cloud computing presents an opportunity for businesses to readily access software, storage, network and other computing resources, albeit, at a cost, cloud computing is not without information security risks. These could include data privacy, data ownership, HIPAA/PCI regulations, etc. that a business should carefully evaluate prior to investing in public cloud computing.
The biggest takeaway here should be that there are so many different flavors of cloud computing. There are so many different options and services available. You can run a private cloud yourself or purchase it through a contract with a vendor. The opposite would be a public cloud available to the public and run by the provider. Community clouds are sort of a mix where several entities manage or purchase a private cloud together. And then the hybrid model where the other different types can be linked together and connected. On top of that, cloud isn’t just storage. There is Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). That list is even changing all the time.
I think this document was clear and straightforward and provides a high level overview of cloud computer. This is a perfect document to share with non-IT folks or anyone not familiar with the cloud. My organization is jst beginning to migrate some services for the cloud and this will be a reference document that I share with many individuals as we start to migrate to the cloud. I was not familiar with the measured service characteristic, which is an automated way of monitoring, controlling, and optimizing resource usage. This is beneficial for both providers and consumers as it provides transparancy regarding usage and consumers only pay for what they use (also known as the “pay as you go” model.
This documentation defines the scope of cloud computing very well. It covers the characteristics, the service models, and the deployment models. Definitions are provided for each item to further define the scope of the cloud computing model organizations are facing today.
Hi Xiduo,
I like how you mention how the documentation defines the scope well. The document is short and sweet and doesn’t overcomplicate the definition like many documents tend to do.
Key takeaways from this relatively short document are an understanding of the ways that cloud computing services are defined. There are five essential characteristics that determine a computing service is a “cloud” service. Additionally, being aware of the software, platform and infrastructure as a service models, and understanding what each is designed to provide the end user, is critical for anyone who plans to rely on or develop a cloud service. Finally, each deployment model has costs and benefits associated, particularly with regards to security and ownership over the component systems.
An important key that I took from NIST 800 145 is that there are five fundamental characteristics of cloud computing. According to the document these are:
1) Cloud computing must have on-demand self-service
2) broad network access
3) resource pooling
4) rapid elasticity
5) measured service
I also thought it was interesting to note that there are three main types of cloud services such as software as a service (SaaS), infrastructure as a service (LAAS), and platform as a service (PAAS). Each different type of cloud service has different limitations in managing its applications, operating systems, or database.
Hi Elias- I think you did a great job summing up the key points. I think of all of the key points, the ability to have on-demand self-service is the most important. The entire point of the cloud is for individuals to have constant access to their data, no matter where they are. So, for a cloud provider, this needs to be a top concern.
Elias,
I agree with Charlie, i think that you did a great job identifying the characteristics of the cloud computing. I also liked that you added comments about IaaS, PaaS and SaaS.
The cloud has always been a very buzz-wordy word. In my experiences with non-tech people, they have a hard time understanding that the cloud is still very much a physical location. Network security has evolved enough that companies can rely on storing their sensitive data in them, but plenty of the same rules still apply. Cloud services are basically any remote storage of servers, databases, etc… AWS, Azure, and Salesforce are all examples of cloud services.
The key take away that I got from this reading was the explanation of the various deployment methods. I’m familiar with the community, public, and hybrid deployment methods as I’ve either used one of these methods or seen them while auditing a client. However, I have not seen or used a private cloud deployment method. While the article did a great job of presenting the definition of cloud computing, I would like dive deeper into understanding the security risks related to each of the methods and how an organization would go about deciding what would be the best for them.
I thought that the article did a very good job explaining cloud computing. As a non-it professional the article was refreshing in having a greater understanding of the various cloud Platforms, IaaS, PaaS and Saas, The article also referenced several key attributes of cloud computing such as rapid elasticity