Cloud computing has transformed how organizations access computing power, storage, and software. In this module, you'll explore why businesses are moving away from traditional on-premises IT infrastructure and toward cloud-based solutions. You'll learn the core characteristics of cloud computing and examine the four types of clouds: public, private, hybrid, and vertical. You'll then explore the three cloud service models — IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS — and see how organizations weigh the benefits of cost savings, flexibility, and scalability against real concerns like security, privacy, and vendor reliability. You'll compare the "Big Three" cloud vendors, AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, and finish by examining how Web services and service-oriented architecture allow systems to share data seamlessly. By the end of this module, you'll be able to describe the types and benefits of cloud computing, compare leading cloud vendors, and explain the role of Web services in modern IT architecture. 💡Tip for Success: Notice how many apps you use daily that run in the cloud rather than on your own device. That shift is exactly what this module explains.

Summative assessment for the course