Cloud Computing Fundamentals: IaaS, PaaS, SaaS

Information Technology and Digital Systems October 25, 2025
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Introduction

Cloud computing has fundamentally reshaped the IT landscape, offering unprecedented flexibility, scalability, and cost efficiency. This introductory course establishes a strong foundation in cloud concepts, delivery models, and deployment models that are universal across all major cloud providers. Participants will gain a clear understanding of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS), as well as the essential elements of security, economics, and architectural design in the cloud. This knowledge is the critical first step for anyone looking to build a career in cloud technologies or manage cloud resources.

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Define cloud computing and describe its five essential characteristics (NIST definition).
  • Differentiate clearly between IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS delivery models and their responsibilities.
  • Explain the differences between public, private, and hybrid cloud deployment models.
  • Understand the concept of the Shared Responsibility Model for cloud security.
  • Describe the core cloud services: compute, storage, networking, and databases.
  • Discuss the financial implications of cloud adoption (CapEx vs. OpEx) and consumption-based pricing.
  • Identify common use cases for migrating or building applications in the cloud.
  • Understand key cloud concepts like elasticity, scalability, and availability zones.

Target Audience

  • IT Professionals seeking an entry point into cloud technologies.
  • Business Leaders and Project Managers making cloud adoption decisions.
  • Sales and Marketing Professionals needing a technical cloud vocabulary.
  • System Administrators and Developers preparing for advanced cloud training.
  • Individuals pursuing any foundational cloud certification (e.g., AWS CCP, Azure Fundamentals).

Methodology

  • Discussions on the differences in business and technical responsibility for IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS.
  • Case studies analyzing companies' decisions to adopt public, private, or hybrid cloud.
  • Individual exercises on applying the Shared Responsibility Model to common scenarios.
  • Group activities focused on calculating potential cost savings using TCO concepts.

Personal Impact

  • Establish a strong, vendor-neutral foundation in cloud computing concepts.
  • Gain the essential knowledge required for all subsequent specialized cloud training.
  • Improve ability to communicate cloud strategy and value to business leaders.
  • Understand cloud economics for better budgeting and cost management.
  • Acquire the prerequisite knowledge for major cloud provider foundational certifications.

Organizational Impact

  • Informed decision-making regarding cloud adoption and service selection.
  • More efficient resource utilization and reduced long-term infrastructure costs.
  • Improved business agility and faster time-to-market for new services.
  • Enhanced security and compliance through a clear understanding of the Shared Responsibility Model.
  • A common, shared vocabulary for all staff involved in cloud initiatives.

Course Outline

Unit 1: Cloud Computing Concepts and Benefits

Defining the Cloud
  • The NIST definition of cloud computing and its five essential characteristics.
  • Key benefits: on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling.
  • Economics of the cloud: shifting from CapEx to OpEx.
  • Cloud challenges: vendor lock-in, governance, and egress costs.
Service Delivery Models
  • Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and its main components (VMs, networks, storage).
  • Platform as a Service (PaaS) and its value proposition (database, web hosting).
  • Software as a Service (SaaS) and common examples (Office 365, Salesforce).
  • The importance of knowing "who manages what" in each model.

Unit 2: Cloud Deployment Models and Core Services

Deployment Models
  • Public cloud: global presence and key providers (AWS, Azure, GCP).
  • Private cloud: on-premises and dedicated infrastructure.
  • Hybrid cloud: balancing public and private resources.
  • Community cloud and its specific use cases.
Core Cloud Services
  • Compute services: Virtual Machines (VMs), containers, and serverless functions.
  • Cloud storage: object storage, block storage, and file storage.
  • Networking concepts: Virtual Private Clouds (VPC) and subnets.
  • Database services: relational (RDS) and NoSQL databases.

Unit 3: Cloud Security, Architecture, and Management

Cloud Security and Compliance
  • The Shared Responsibility Model in detail.
  • Identity and Access Management (IAM) fundamentals.
  • Network security and firewall concepts in the cloud.
  • Introduction to cloud compliance and regulatory frameworks.
Cloud Architecture Concepts
  • Regions, availability zones, and edge locations.
  • Designing for high availability and disaster recovery.
  • Principles of elasticity, scalability, and fault tolerance.
  • Introduction to Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and automation.

Unit 4: Cloud Economics and Vendor Overview

Cloud Economics and Billing
  • Understanding the consumption-based billing model.
  • Factors that influence cloud costs (data transfer, compute time, storage volume).
  • Cost optimization strategies and best practices.
  • Introduction to Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) calculators.
Cloud Provider Landscape
  • Overview of key services offered by AWS, Azure, and GCP.
  • Comparing unique services and market strengths of major providers.
  • Future trends in cloud computing (e.g., multi-cloud, serverless).
  • Next steps for foundational cloud certification preparation.

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