What is meant by "cloud computing"?

Cloud computing refers to the delivery of computing services—such as storage, processing power, and applications—over the internet. This model allows users to access and manage data and applications remotely rather than relying on local servers or personal computers. The key advantage of cloud computing is its scalability and flexibility; users can easily adjust their computing resources based on their needs without having to invest in physical hardware.

In contrast to physical servers, which are tied to specific locations and require more maintenance and management, cloud computing leverages a network of remote servers. This eliminates the need for users to handle maintenance and updates directly. Additionally, while encryption is important for securing data, it is not an overarching definition of cloud computing itself; rather, it is one of many security measures employed within the cloud framework. Analyzing data packets, while a crucial aspect of data management and networking, does not represent the broad spectrum of services encompassed by cloud computing.