Cloud computing services

  • 3 minutes

Cloud services are often divided into three categories based on who has access to the services or infrastructure:

  • Private
  • Public
  • Hybrid

You likely use cloud services every day in various forms. For example:

  • Listening to streamed music or videos
  • Storing documents and photos on OneDrive and other cloud storage systems
  • Managing mail via Outlook
  • Even using a smartphone to book a taxi

All these services are provided via cloud-based services.

Cloud storage services offer unlimited data, anywhere, and can be accessed from a smartphone, laptop, desktop, or other device that has the relevant application and is connected to the internet. Cloud storage services usually employ advanced information compression functions and in some cases encryption, thus ensuring greater security and mobility of data.

Types of cloud storage devices:

  • Private: Built by companies for use by only their employees and partners.
  • Public: Available to anybody that wants to purchase or lease services. Some offer small amounts of free storage.
  • Hybrid: Available to the public while a part of it is kept secure for use by employees.

Image of the types of cloud storage devices: Private, public and hybrid.

Categories of cloud computing services

Cloud computing can be divided into three main services:

  • Infrastructure as a service (IaaS)
  • Platform as a service (PaaS)
  • Software as a service (SaaS)

An image of the categories of cloud computing services: I a a S, P a a S and S a a S

These services constitute what is known as the cloud computing stack with SaaS at the top, PaaS in the middle, and IaaS on the bottom.