The practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server or personal computer has grown exponentially since the early days of the digital age.

Storage for videos, music, photos, documents and more is fueling growth in cloud computing. By 2020, Forrester Research reports that 2.3 billion of the Internet population (59 percent) will use personal cloud storage, up from 1.3 billion in 2015. The global market for cloud computing is projected to top $270 billion.

In response to the growth in cloud computing and demand for skilled professionals in cloud computing architecture, University of Maryland University College (UMUC) has launched the area’s first Master of Science in Cloud Computing Architecture program.

UMUC’s Master of Science in Cloud Computing Architecture program is designed for individuals who want the technical and management skills and the credentials to plan, develop, maintain and operate cloud-computing systems and transition cloud-based solutions.

“This new program will give students a broad understanding of cloud technology and its relationship to business processes, including financial management, procurement, and communications,” said Jeff Tjiputra, the Cloud Computing Architecture program chair.

“As the market for cloud computing technology expands, professionals with the skills to design effective cloud environments will be valuable assets to any organization,” he said.

Students in the graduate-level program will receive foundation knowledge about compliance issues, security and risk mitigation and how to follow industry standards and best practices. They will also gain valuable hands-on experience in implementing, configuring and managing cloud technologies.

“This transformative technology is not only altering the way businesses operate, but it has also shaken up the traditional structure of the IT department and placed new demands on staff members who are faced with reinventing their own careers,” said Kathryn Klose, acting dean of The Graduate School at UMUC. “As organizations move their infrastructures and services to the cloud, jobs are growing at a very fast rate. In fact, many well-paid positions are unfilled because of a lack of supply of professionals with cloud computing skills.”

“The pace of today’s digital transformation requires us all to make a concerted effort to keep our technical expertise current,” said Greg Wenzel, executive vice president for Booz Allen Hamilton’s Digital Solutions Group.

“Programs like UMUC’s M.S. in Cloud Computing Architecture are excellent opportunities for people seeking to stay ahead of the curve, learning about cutting-edge cloud and modular technology solutions that are required to excel in a modern, 24/7 environment.”

According to Gartner, Inc., more than $1 trillion in IT spending will be directly or indirectly affected by the shift to cloud during the next five years, making cloud computing one of the most disruptive forces in IT spending.

Cloud computing architecture consists of data storage and servers, that enable data and applications to be controlled, managed and served by cloud servers.

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