The development of information and communication technologies, ICT and the advancement of connectivity have led to the growth of innovative and revolutionary tools for companies and organizations such as cloud computinga 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 user devices. It uses connectivity as a means to deliver them, as they are stored in the cloud.
In this way, companies can not only access a wide range of software, storage services and other tools based on new technologies, but also store and manage the data of companies, organizations and individuals in a way that it is always accessible.
How Cloud Computing Works
Cloud platforms give instant access to the information stored there, as well as a number of services and tools such as data analysis, artificial intelligence (AI) and climate management. Internet of Things (IoT), so that these tools and services are always up to date.
How is it possible? Cloud Computing is working on the design of a network of connected servers. Thus, the servers play the role of administrators, that is, they are responsible for operating the system, and allow users to connect to the cloud service.
In this way, users connect to the cloud through 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 back-end.
There are four types of clouds: public, private hybrid and multi-cloud, depending on whether the services are provided via servers shared with several users, such as Google Cloud or Amazon Web Services, or whether access is limited to a specific group of users; while hybrid clouds result from the connection of a private cloud with a public cloud, and if the services of several cloud providers are used, it will be a multi-cloud.
Benefits of working in the cloud
The main advantage is that, as everything is stored in the cloud, access to everything is done via the Internet from anywhere on the planet, and from any device, which facilitates, among other things, teleworking and hybrid work (face to face). face-to-face and remote) and frees companies from having and maintaining their own physical servers, and this reduces costs.
Updates are performed almost automatically by the company providing the Cloud services, without this being done on a device-by-device basis. This gives businesses access to state-of-the-art tools and powerful connectivity infrastructure at no additional cost.
Agility is another of the main advantages offered by Cloud Computing. Companies and organizations become more efficient by having quick and secure access to innovative tools that make their work easier; they or they enjoy the flexibility of scanning by offering tailor-made and scalable solutions, according to the needs of the moment, and only pay for it. In this way, companies can launch more ambitious projects without having to think about major expenses.
Without losing control of their digital resources, customers of these services benefit from constant maintenance of the connectivity infrastructures, as well as the support of these, which is provided by the company that provides the Cloud Computing service, guaranteeing full integration with existing tools and infrastructures, without the need for additional investment.
Cloud cybersecurity
However, security is probably the most important feature of cloud computing. These services guarantee the total confidentiality of the information stored, as well as the prevention of cyber attacks on these platforms, since it is able to stop any type of attack or hacking attempt by unknown users.
Sectors such as public administration, banking, defence, health and industry, among others, are already using this type of service, due to the reliability it offers. This is achieved through the use of Blockchain, as data security is paramount: from data storage and management, to the administration of virtual offices and tools specifically focused on sales and customer management, such as CRM (Customer Relationship Management) or ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) applications, or creating backup copies. Thus, in the event of a crisis, data recovery is fast and reliable.
Blockchain is a decentralized technology capable of tracking any 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: the European cloud computing project
Following the success of cloud services already offered by major tech companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Google, IBM, Tencent and Alibaba, Europe has launched a project dubbed GAIA-X. It aims to be a safe alternative in a market dominated by the United States and China, since data is already part of the infrastructure of the digital economyas the Spanish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation points out.
GAIA-X is a non-profit European association of companies created to promote digital sovereignty in cloud environments. It aims to become a common European cloud-based data infrastructure, providing access control and reuse capabilities to those who produce information, through the creation of national hubs.
This project is part of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience plan and is supported by the European Next Generation funds to promote the so-called data economy, which requires a highly developed cloud, as well as “data services”. infrastructure to store and process data, an architecture for sharing data between different actors and high-capacity, secure, resilient and reliable connectivity,” according to the ministry.