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PUBLICATIONS

The NIST Definition of Cloud Computing

Published

Author(s)

Peter M. Mell, Timothy Grance

Abstract

Cloud computing is a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction. This cloud model is composed of five essential characteristics, three service models, and four deployment models.
Citation
Special Publication (NIST SP) - 800-145
Report Number
800-145
NIST Pub Series
Special Publication (NIST SP)
Pub Type
NIST Pubs

Download Paper

DOI Link

Keywords

Cloud Computing, SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, On-demand Self Service, Reserve Pooling, Rapid Elasticity, Measured Service, Software as a Service, Platform as a Service, Infrastructure as a Service
Cloud computing and virtualization and Cybersecurity and privacy

Citation

Mell, P. and Grance, T. (2011), The NIST Definition of Cloud Computing, Special Publication (NIST SP), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-145 (Accessed October 2, 2025)

Issues

If you have any questions about this publication or are having problems accessing it, please contact [email protected].

Created September 28, 2011, Updated November 10, 2018
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