Editing Computing (section)

=== Cloud computing ===
Cloud computing is a model that allows for the use of computing resources, such as servers or applications, without the need for interaction between the owner of these resources and the end user. It is typically offered as a service, making it an example of [[Software as a service|Software as a Service]], [[Platform as a service|Platforms as a Service]], and [[Infrastructure as a service|Infrastructure as a Service]], depending on the functionality offered. Key characteristics include on-demand access, broad network access, and the capability of rapid scaling.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://faculty.winthrop.edu/domanm/csci411/Handouts/NIST.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://faculty.winthrop.edu/domanm/csci411/Handouts/NIST.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live|title=The NIST Definition of Cloud Computing|date=September 2011|work=U.S. Department of Commerce}}</ref> It allows individual users or small business to benefit from [[economies of scale]].

One area of interest in this field is its potential to support energy efficiency. Allowing thousands of instances of computation to occur on one single machine instead of thousands of individual machines could help save energy. It could also ease the transition to renewable energy source, since it would suffice to power one server farm with renewable energy, rather than millions of homes and offices.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Berl|first1=A.|last2=Gelenbe|first2=E.|last3=Girolamo|first3=M. Di|last4=Giuliani|first4=G.|last5=Meer|first5=H. De|last6=Dang|first6=M. Q.|last7=Pentikousis|first7=K.|date=September 2010|title=Energy-Efficient Cloud Computing|url=https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8130358|journal=The Computer Journal|volume=53|issue=7|pages=1045–1051|doi=10.1093/comjnl/bxp080|issn=1460-2067}}</ref>

However, this centralized computing model poses several challenges, especially in security and privacy. Current legislation does not sufficiently protect users from companies mishandling their data on company servers. This suggests potential for further legislative regulations on cloud computing and tech companies.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Kaufman|first=L. M.|date=July 2009|title=Data Security in the World of Cloud Computing|journal=IEEE Security Privacy|volume=7|issue=4|pages=61–64|doi=10.1109/MSP.2009.87|s2cid=16233643|issn=1558-4046}}</ref>