Introduction to cloud computing (ITSAP.50.110) – Canadian Centre for Cyber Security

Introduction to cloud computing (ITSAP.50.110) – Canadian Centre for Cyber Security

Summary

This guidance from the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security gives an accessible introduction to cloud computing and why organisations are moving services to cloud service providers (CSPs). It defines cloud computing as the on-demand delivery of IT resources over the internet, explains how users access shared pools of configurable resources, and outlines the main benefits: performance, accessibility and productivity, reliability, and cost efficiency. The page also links to further ITSAP guidance on cloud models and data spillage.

Key Points

• Cloud computing is the on-demand provision of computing resources (networks, servers, storage, applications) via CSPs rather than local infrastructure.
• Performance: CSPs provide scalable resources and regularly update hardware to match organisational growth and peak demand.
• Accessibility & productivity: Users can securely access data and applications anywhere, improving collaboration and agility.
• Reliability: Cloud platforms simplify backups, disaster recovery and business continuity by mirroring data across multiple sites.
• Cost efficiency: Moves organisations away from large up-front capital expenditure to a pay-as-you-go model aligned with actual usage.
• Further reading: ITSAP follow-ups cover cloud models (ITSAP.50.111) and steps to address data spillage (ITSAP.50.112), plus Government of Canada cloud guidance.

Why should I read this?

Quick and useful — if you need a no-nonsense primer on what cloud computing actually is and why organisations use it, this saves you time. It lays out the practical benefits and points you to deeper ITSAP pieces if you want to drill down on models or data spillage.

Context and relevance

This is a general-awareness guidance piece aimed at organisations and IT decision-makers looking to understand foundational cloud concepts and business implications. It’s relevant to ongoing trends of cloud adoption, modernisation of IT estates, and risk management around data protection and continuity. For teams planning migrations or evaluating CSPs, the linked ITSAP documents are the next logical steps.

Source

Source: https://cyber.gc.ca/en/guidance/introduction-cloud-computing-itsap50110