Definition of Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is defined as internet-based computing in which large groups of remote servers are networked so as to allow sharing of data-processing tasks, centralized data storage, and online access to computer services or resources. (Dictonary.com, n.d.).

Tadjer's article indicates that the IDC (International Data Corporation) came up with a handy checklist to determine whether or not something should be called a "cloud" service. Key Cloud Services Attributes:

• Off-site, third-party provider
• Accessed via the Internet
• Minimal/no IT skills required to implement
• Provisioning = self-service requesting; near real-time deployment; dynamic and fine-grained scaling
• Pricing model = fine-grained, usage-based (at least available as an option)
• UI = browser and successors
• System interface = web services APIs
• Shared resources/common versions (customization "around" the shared services)? (2010)

Despite the fact that the term cloud computing has only become mainstream over the last several years, its concept dates back at least four decades. Today's cloud originated because the typical enterprise application was too bloated and required too much maintenance or support. (Tadjer, 2010). Consumers needed a way to have the most current computing options without having to continually update their hardware or software. The concept of cloud computing can be traced back to the 1960's when John McCarthy opined that computation may someday be organized as a public utility. (Khan, Khan & Galibeen, 2011). McCarthy's concept was that consumers could be charged for their computing power much like they are for phone services. The government and some businesses have taken advantage of the cloud technology for years. It is now trickling down to the personal consumer. Some current cloud based service providers are Apple's icloud, Google, Amazon and Microsoft. These companies store information on their servers to be accessed by consumers. Most providers offer free storage for a defined amount of space. Additional storage can be purchased from the provider at various rates.

There are two components of cloud computing; the front end and the back end. The front end is the computer user and the applications used to access the cloud via a web browser. The back end is the cloud itself which is the computers, servers and data storage devices (Khan, Khan & Galibeen, 2011).