You use the cloud when you stream a movie, join an online class, play a connected game or save a file online. It also helps technology teams build apps, protect information and keep online services running. Learning how the cloud works can help you move from using technology to creating it.

Cloud computing powers much of the digital world that people interact with every day. As organizations continue moving their systems and data online, understanding the cloud can provide a strong foundation in modern technology and support innovation across industries.

“Cloud computing encompasses many areas: deploying applications on the cloud, developing applications in the cloud, architecting cloud-based applications, architecting cloud-based infrastructure, cloud security, etc.” 

– Dr. Isac Artzi, Associate Professor, College of Engineering and Technology

Cloud computing is a way of using online systems instead of your personal device to store files and run programs. Instead of keeping everything on your computer, you’re using powerful computers elsewhere that you connect to through the internet.

What Are Examples of Cloud Computing?

According to TSC iON, some examples of cloud computing include Google Drive, Dropbox, Netflix, Zoom and online learning platforms.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

Why It Matters

Cloud skills can lead to several career paths. Software developers use the cloud to build and release apps. Cybersecurity teams protect cloud systems and data. Cloud engineers keep services running when thousands of people use them at once. Many AI tools also rely on the cloud for storage and computing power.

For students and future professionals, understanding cloud computing can open doors to careers in IT, cybersecurity, software development and data analytics. It also builds a foundation for working with modern tools that power everything from mobile apps to artificial intelligence.

This growing reliance on cloud technologies reflects a larger digital transformation happening across industries, where organizations depend on scalable and flexible solutions to manage increasing amounts of data. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the need for computer and information technology capabilities continues to grow faster than the average across all occupations, highlighting the importance of foundational digital skills such as cloud computing.^{(See disclaimer 2)}

Cloud computing relies on a network of remote data centers, which are large facilities filled with thousands of servers that store and process data located all around the world. These facilities are owned and maintained by cloud providers, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.

Each provider offers tools for building applications, protecting data, managing infrastructure and supporting AI systems, making experience with these platforms useful across cloud, cybersecurity and software development careers.

When you access a cloud-based app, your device sends a request over the internet to these servers, which handle the processing and return the results to you in real time. “There is no cloud — it is just someone else’s computer. Cloud is just a cute marketing term, since ‘remote server’ seems dated,” says Artzi.

In simple terms:

• Your device becomes a gateway, not the primary processor
• Remote servers do the heavy lifting
• The internet acts as the bridge between you and the cloud

These data centers are a critical part of modern infrastructure. In fact, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, employment tied to data center operations has grown significantly in recent years as demand for digital services expands.^{(See disclaimer 3 )}

Cloud services are typically divided into three main models, Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). Each model offers a different level of flexibility and responsibility, depending on the user’s technical needs.

Organizations can choose from several cloud deployment strategies:

• Public cloud: Services delivered over the public internet and shared across users
• Private cloud: Dedicated environments for a single organization
• Hybrid cloud: A mix of on-premises systems and cloud services
• Multi-cloud: Using multiple cloud providers simultaneously

These models allow organizations to balance scalability, control and security.

While cloud computing can reduce the need for physical hardware, costs can vary depending on usage, storage and performance needs. Cloud computing offers advantages that align with efficiency, accessibility and innovation:

• Scalability: Easily adjust resources based on demand
• Accessibility: Access files and systems from nearly anywhere
• Cost efficiency: Reduce reliance on physical hardware
• Collaboration: Enable real-time teamwork across locations
• Automatic updates: Stay current with the latest software features

For students, this means more seamless access to coursework, online tools and collaborative learning environments. “On the cloud, storage is unlimited, as long as you are willing to pay,” says Dr. Artzi. While cloud computing offers flexibility, organizations must balance performance, cost and scalability when choosing the right solution.

Cloud computing supports a wide range of everyday and enterprise applications. Many tools students already use rely on cloud computing. For example, platforms like Google Drive store files online, Netflix streams content from cloud servers and apps like Zoom depend on cloud infrastructure to connect users in real time.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

Some applications are:

• Online learning platforms and virtual classrooms
• Data storage and backup solutions
• Mobile apps and web applications
• Streaming services and social media
• Artificial intelligence and analytics tools

These use cases demonstrate how the cloud supports both innovation and everyday digital experiences.

You could launch a mobile app, host an online game, create a secure website or automate a cybersecurity task. You could also build a cloud system that supports an AI tool. These projects give you something real to show employers and help you learn through practice.

While cloud computing centralizes processing in remote data centers, edge computing moves processing closer to where data is generated, such as on a device or local server. Both approaches often work together to support modern systems.

While cloud technology offers many advantages, it also comes with considerations:

• Security and privacy concerns: Protecting sensitive data requires strong safeguards
• Internet dependency: Access relies on stable connectivity
• Cost management: Usage-based pricing can fluctuate
• Complexity: Managing cloud environments can require specialized knowledge

These challenges highlight the importance of strong technical foundations and ethical responsibility when working with digital systems.

Is Cloud Computing Safe?

Cloud systems include strong security measures, but organizations must still manage access and protect sensitive data carefully.

Selecting a cloud solution depends on your needs and priorities. “Most small and medium size businesses cannot afford hosting all their computing and data storage needs on premises, so they are forced to ‘rent’ space on someone else’s computer. It’s pretty much like owning a horse but boarding it with someone else and only using it to ride,” says Dr. Artzi.

Consider:

• Type of workload and applications
• Required level of security and control
• Budget and scalability needs
• Integration with existing systems

Understanding these factors can help guide responsible and informed decision-making in technology. 

Cloud computing continues to evolve alongside emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and big data. Growth in digital infrastructure, including data centers, reflects the increasing reliance on cloud-based services to support innovation and digital transformation.^{(See disclaimer 3)}

AI is also reshaping workforce needs across the cloud industry. Because AI applications require substantial computing power, storage and scalable infrastructure, organizations rely on cloud platforms to support these technologies. As adoption increases, employers may seek professionals who can develop cloud solutions, protect data and maintain secure, reliable systems. 

Dr. Artzi says, “Finding the proverbial ‘needle in the haystack’ is getting more challenging every day, because the haystack gets bigger and bigger. It’s one thing to search information in 1,000 books, but a whole different challenge to search in 1,000,000 and get information in milliseconds.”

Students interested in cloud computing can build a strong foundation through Grand Canyon University’s Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) and cybersecurity programs. These programs emphasize practical skills in networking, systems administration and information security, areas that closely intersect with cloud environments. 

GCU’s Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program now includes exam preparation and an exam voucher^{(See disclaimer 4)} for the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification. Students in the information technology and software development programs also gain hands-on experience with AWS and Microsoft Azure cloud platforms.

“Students can get a bit of a distorted image of what it takes to work in the cloud,” Artzi says. Coursework may align with widely recognized industry certifications, helping students explore topics like cloud infrastructure, virtualization and security best practices. This integration allows learners to develop technical knowledge while also approaching technology with purpose, integrity and a commitment to serving others. In addition to coursework, Dr. Artzi emphasizes the importance of acquiring hands-on experience during college, saying, "This exposure can only be gained in an internship."

In a world increasingly shaped by digital transformation, understanding cloud computing can empower you to engage thoughtfully with technology, both in your education and beyond.