Explore the world of cloud computing and discover how it can open many professional doors, including competitive salaries and sought-after skills. Find out more about the number one job in America for 2022, Information Security Analyst, and how cloud computing plays an integral role in this and many other careers.
Key Insights
- Cloud computing offers a variety of services such as databases, servers, software, analytics, and storage, all delivered over the internet or the “cloud.”
- There are different types of cloud services including private, public, and hybrid clouds, each with its own benefits and use cases.
- The cost of cloud computing depends on the tools and services you use. Most platforms such as Azure and AWS operate on a pay-as-you-go model.
- Cloud computing is a highly in-demand skill, with Information Security Analyst being named the top job in America for 2022. This role often requires significant knowledge of cloud environments.
- Salaries in cloud computing can be highly competitive, with roles like Cybersecurity Analyst and Cybersecurity Engineer in the forefront of technology and demand.
- There are many learning options for those interested in cloud computing, including free online courses and more in-depth training programs such as those offered by Noble Desktop.
If you’re interested in learning cloud computing, you may wonder how much it costs for the tools and services you’ll need. Because cloud computing is a broad category that relies on several IT and business tools and various programming languages, the costs associated with cloud computing depend on the tools you select and how often you use them. Most programming languages, like Python, are open-source and free. In addition, platforms such as Azure and AWS operate with a pay-as-you-go model, which means you pay only for the services you use, when you use them. This article will take a closer look at the costs associated with cloud computing.
What is Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing involves delivering computing services, such as databases, servers, software, intelligence, analytics, and storage, over the internet, or the “cloud.” Instead of storing files on a local storage device or one’s hard drive, cloud-based storage provides a way to save them to a remote database. Any electronic device that can access the internet can then access the data, as well as the software programs needed to run it.
Different types of clouds, as well as cloud computing options, are available, including various services and models. Cloud services can be deployed in three ways: on a private cloud, a public cloud, or a hybrid cloud. Private clouds are used solely by one organization. It is either physically located in the organization’s onsite data center or is hosted by a third-party service provider. Public clouds are owned and run by third-party cloud service providers. This provider delivers computing resources via the internet. In public clouds, the cloud provider owns all the supporting infrastructure like software and hardware and is in charge of managing it. Hybrid clouds are a combination of private and public clouds that share data and applications. Since apps and data move between public and private clouds in a hybrid cloud, this format provides organizations with additional deployment options, security, and flexibility.
Nearly all cloud computing services fall into four categories: infrastructure as a service, platform as a service, serverless, and software as a service. Since they build on one another, these four services are often called the cloud computing “stack.”
Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) is the most rudimentary of the four services. Those using IaaS rent their IT infrastructures, such as virtual machines, servers, networks, and storage, from a cloud provider using a pay-as-you-go structure. Platform as a service (PaaS) provides on-demand environments to develop, test, deliver, and manage various software apps. PaaS allows Developers to easily and quickly design mobile or web apps since they do not need to create or manage the servers’ databases, storage capacity, or network. Serverless computing allows users to focus their efforts on creating apps rather than managing the infrastructure and services needed to do so. Instead, the cloud provider takes care of setup and server management. The fourth cloud computing service is software as a service (SaaS). This method delivers software apps on an on-demand basis over the internet and generally involves a subscription. Cloud providers are tasked with hosting and managing the infrastructure and apps, as well as performing maintenance tasks like updating software. Those who wish to connect to the app do so over the internet.
Read more about what cloud computing is and why you should learn it.
What Can You Do with Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing is a skill that can open many professional doors, lead to competitive salaries, and provide you with the training and skills to stand out to a range of recruiters and employers. Currently, cloud computing is one of the most in-demand skills you can have on your resume. According to U.S. News and World Report, the number-one job in America in 2022 is Information Security Analyst. These individuals safeguard the information stored in an organization’s computer system from cyberattacks and data breaches, often in the cloud environment. Whether you want to pursue a cybersecurity career or employment in a related field like web development or cloud development, cloud computing is likely to play an integral role in your professional responsibilities. The demand for those with cloud computing skills will likely increase over the next decade as more companies realize the benefits of cloud environments.
Cloud computing allows businesses and organizations to reduce expenses by using resources from several providers instead of just one. This can lead to a significant reduction in operating costs. Not only does cloud computing save money, but it improves a company’s flexibility. It provides a way for users to access apps and data when and where it’s needed. Working in the cloud environment also improves an organization’s agility by allowing users to easily and quickly deploy services and applications.
Another benefit of working with cloud computing is that it provides a secure data environment with which users can securely access their data from any location. Because it’s made the internet more reliable and improved the speed by which information can be accessed, cloud computing often improves employee productivity. It also provides a way to stay current with technology trends. Additionally, because cloud computing relies on state-of-the-art data centers and cutting-edge technology, it can also reduce an organization’s carbon footprint.
In-Depth Review of the Cost
If you want to get started with cloud computing, you may wonder how much it will cost to obtain the necessary applications, systems, and programming languages. The following paragraphs will break down some of the most widely used tools for cloud computing, as well as their costs:
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Amazon offers more than 200 cloud computing services, such as analytics, storage, and IoT. AWS is currently the number-one IaaS because it provides a nearly infinite number of cloud services. AWS operates with a pay-as-you-go structure, which means that end users need only pay for the services they use, based on how long as they use them. In addition, several free trials are also available.
- Microsoft Azure: Azure is another IaaS cloud computing platform that is operated by Microsoft. It provides users from all over the world with app management services and distributed data centers. This platform allows users to modernize and maximize their cloud investments. Similar to AWS, Azure incorporates pay-as-you-go pricing. No upfront costs are required, and users can cancel services at any time. In addition to pay-as-you-go services, Azure also offers a free trial.
- Google Cloud: This Google platform consists of a suite of different cloud computing services. These services run on the infrastructure Google uses for products like YouTube, Gmail, and Google Drive. Google Cloud also operates using a pay-as-you-go pricing structure. A free trial is also available.
- Linux: Linux is a kind of operating system, the software that manages a system’s resources and hardware like storage and CPU. This open-source OS connects a user’s software and physical resources. Because Linux is open-source, it is free to download and use.
- Python: Python is a free, open-source programming language. This programming language has been around for more than three decades and remains the most popular language of Software Engineers. It provides users with many helpful features, such as third-party modules, support libraries, and data structures that are easy to use.
- PHP: This programming language is commonly used in cloud computing and web development because it is easy to learn and work with. PHP can run on Windows and UNIX servers and works with many database management systems. Those who wish to use PHP can download and use it for free.
Why Learn Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing provides users with many benefits. It offers flexible resources, quicker innovation capacities, and economies of scale. Cloud computing is typically a cost-effective solution for businesses because you only need to pay for the cloud services you use, which can significantly reduce operating costs. In addition, it can help organizations run their infrastructures more efficiently. When working with cloud computing, tasks such as disaster recovery and data backups are easier to perform and less expensive since the data can be mirrored at various redundant sites on the provider’s network.
Before the advent of cloud computing, the costs associated with buying hardware and software, as well as time and energy setting it up on onsite data centers, quickly added up. These data centers require constant electricity for powering and cooling, and organizations needed to hire employees with IT training to manage it all. Cloud computing eliminates those costs so IT professionals can devote their time and effort to more pressing business endeavors. In addition, because the majority of cloud computing services are available as self-service, on-demand services, they provide fast access to huge stores of computing resources. Another benefit of working with cloud computing is that the largest services operate on a global network of secure data centers. These centers receive regular updates and often operate with the most efficient hardware, which leads to better performance.
Read more about why you should learn cloud computing.
Free Introductory Cloud Computing Course Online
If you’re not quite ready to dive into a full course on cloud computing, other online learning options are available. For those interested in an overview of this field, you can start learning for free online. Many top educational providers offer free online content devoted to cloud computing and related topics.
Udacity’s Introduction to Cloud Computing is a two-month, beginner-level course in which participants prepare for a career in cloud computing. This class provides instruction on deployment models, AWS, and serverless architecture. For those who want to learn how to work with AWS, Cloud Computing with Amazon Web Services is offered for free from Amazon. Three hours of video content is available about AWS services, S3 cloud storage, and cloud infrastructure. Coursera also provides a free course, Introduction to Cloud Computing. Instruction is provided on the evolution of cloud computing, as well as the various cloud deployment models. If you want to become familiar with Microsoft Azure, Udemy’s Learning Microsoft Azure offers an hour of video content that prepares students to work with its infrastructure and services. For those who wish to gain an overview of cloud computing, Pluralsight’s Fundamentals of Cloud Computing provides two hours of introductory-level videos on the risks and benefits of working with cloud computing.
Read about more free cloud computing videos and online tutorials.
Learn Web Development & Cybersecurity Skills with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop
One great way to learn many of the skills associated with cloud computing is to enroll in a course or bootcamp with Noble Desktop. Noble’s Cloud Computing with AWS prepares students to create and secure an enterprise-level cloud environment. Those enrolled in this hands-on class receive expert instruction on how to work with Amazon Web Services (AWS), the most popular cloud computing platform. Participants learn how to navigate the cloud’s infrastructure, as well as how Security Operation Centers can be used in AWS. These relevant skills can help students pursue a career in cybersecurity. Tuition includes the option of a free course retake for up to one year for all students.
Another great option for those interested in working with cybersecurity is Noble’s Cybersecurity Bootcamp. Instruction is provided on protecting networks and apps, evaluating security threats, and using cloud computing, Python, and Linux to prevent cyberattacks. By course completion, students will have a working knowledge of the skills required to work in several in-demand cybersecurity professions, such as Cybersecurity Analyst and Cybersecurity Engineer. In addition to the option of a free course retake, all participants in this intensive program receive one-on-one mentoring.