Don’t fret if the term “cloud computing” sounds hazy to you. While the name itself is a vague reference to digital connectivity, the nuts and bolts of the cloud are actually pretty concrete and ubiquitous. In fact, you may have recently used cloud-based software without even realizing it.
For most consumers, the core purpose of the cloud is to store data in a remote location that can be accessed when you need it. Think of how you might stash your valuables in a lockbox at a bank, or in a commercial storage locker. The principle is essentially the same — you use someone else’s facilities to tuck away your belongings. But with the cloud, you don’t have to drive to a physical location to retrieve your stuff. Instead, the data you store on a cloud-based server can be accessed from virtually any internet-enabled device, anywhere in the world.
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