Week 3 - Unlocking the Cloud

When people talk about “the cloud,” they’re not referring to the ones in the sky. The cloud is a network of servers that store data and run applications over the internet, so you don’t have to rely only on your computer’s hard drive. Chances are, you already use it every day whether you’re streaming Netflix, backing up photos from your phone, or collaborating on a Google Doc with classmates.

Businesses go even further by hosting websites, running apps, and storing large amounts of data securely in the cloud. Managing the cloud means keeping track of resources, controlling who can access them, and making sure everything stays secure through tools like encryption and/or identity management. The best part is that cloud providers handle majority of the heavy lifting (depending on what services you're subscribed to) so users can focus on what they actually need instead of worrying about the tech behind everything.