What does cloud computing refer to?

Cloud computing refers to the delivery of various services over the internet. This model allows users to access and utilize computing resources such as servers, storage, databases, networking, software, and more, all hosted on remote servers. Rather than relying on local machines to process and store data, cloud computing enables flexibility, scalability, and efficiency as users can take advantage of computing power and storage capacity from anywhere with an internet connection.

This model supports a range of services, including infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS), which provide different levels of control and management depending on user needs. By leveraging cloud computing, organizations can reduce costs, enhance collaboration, and streamline operations, as they pay only for the resources they use rather than maintaining on-premises hardware.

The other options do not capture the essence of cloud computing accurately. For example, storing data on local machines is contrary to the premise of using the cloud for shared access to resources. A software package installed on external servers does not encompass the various service models that cloud computing provides, which go beyond just software installation. Lastly, while cloud computing can contribute to improved security measures, it is not primarily defined as a method