What is Cloud Computing?

What is the big deal about cloud computing? You’ve likely heard about this popular tech buzzword and might not even realize that you’re “in the cloud” many times a day. After all, the cloud is everywhere and revolutionizing the digital space.

Cloud computing is when you rely on Internet-based shared resources to complete digital tasks. In layman’s terms, cloud computing is a place within the digital space where you can store and access vast amounts of data, such as programs and apps, without using your hard drive. In the past, when you wanted to access a program you had to download and run it on your computer. Now, you can access programs, such as Photoshop Express, Gmail, Google Docs, etc., in the cloud.

You use cloud computing when you post a status on a social media site or when you are checking your bank account on your iPhone. The same is true for business people who use an app to manage their workflow. As you can see, cloud computing is everywhere.

Cloud computing has exploded in the last 15 years, and many companies have modified their digital strategies to include it. Some of the first big-name companies to jump on this modern bandwagon was Amazon with Elastic Compute Cloud and Google with Google App Engine. 

Before you jump into finding your cloud computing dream job, you might want to make sure you have a few of the necessary skills to thrive. Here are three skills to help you succeed in this high-tech industry:

1. Program it up:

Learning how to write for the cloud is an absolute must if you want a career in this field. Ruby, Ruby on Rails, Python, Perl and Node.js are some of the most well-known program languages when it comes to building cloud-based applications. Learning some of these tech languages will set you on the track for perfecting your cloud computing game.

2. Linux certification:

There is quite a demand for this certification, as Linux servers are one of the most popular operating systems. As more and more Microsoft connoisseur businesses continue to invest in more cloud-based technology, the demand for this certification grows.

3. Mobile, mobile, mobile:

With the rise of mobile comes the rise of the cloud. As we know, mobile devices are everywhere and with mobile comes easy access to app technology. There is a strong demand for IT professionals who can build and deliver apps. Cloud-based apps are great tools for students and professionals in a variety of industries to access their work from anywhere.