How does the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) characterize cloud computing?

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) characterizes cloud computing as a model that provides convenient and on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources. This definition emphasizes the key aspects of cloud computing, including the flexibility and efficiency that cloud services provide.

The phrase "convenient, on-demand network access" highlights the accessibility and immediate availability of resources over the internet, which is a defining feature of cloud computing. The mention of a "shared pool" indicates that multiple users can utilize the same underlying resources, promoting resource optimization and scalability. Additionally, the term "configurable" signifies that users can tailor the resources to their individual needs, an important advantage over traditional computing models.

This definition aligns well with the way cloud services are typically deployed and consumed today, making it the correct characterization of cloud computing according to NIST.