Which of the following describes cloud computing?

The description of cloud computing as a platform for scalable resources and data analysis accurately captures its core functionality. Cloud computing enables users to access and utilize a wide range of computing resources over the internet, such as servers, storage, databases, and application services. The scalability aspect is particularly significant; it allows businesses and individuals to expand or shrink their resource usage based on current needs without the constraints of physical hardware.

Moreover, cloud platforms often come equipped with advanced data analysis tools, enabling users to process and analyze vast amounts of data efficiently. This capability is central to many modern applications, as organizations increasingly rely on data-driven insights to inform their strategies and operations.

The other options describe concepts that do not align with the fundamentals of cloud computing. Storing data on a single device has no relation to the distributed nature of cloud systems. Isolating data from user access does not reflect cloud computing’s design, which typically emphasizes accessibility over isolation. Finally, while data encryption is important in cloud security, it does not define cloud computing itself. This highlights why the selection of the second option is accurate and representative of the cloud computing landscape.