What does scalability in cloud computing refer to?

Scalability in cloud computing primarily refers to the ability to increase or decrease resources as needed. This flexibility is a fundamental characteristic of cloud services, allowing businesses to adjust their computing power, storage, or bandwidth based on current demand. For instance, during peak usage times, a company might need to scale up its resources to ensure optimal performance. Conversely, during periods of low demand, it can scale down to save costs. This on-demand resource management is one of the key advantages of cloud computing, enabling organizations to efficiently manage their workloads without upfront investment in physical infrastructure.

The other options touch on important aspects of cloud computing but do not define scalability itself. For instance, handling multiple servers simultaneously relates more to the overall architecture and resource management capabilities of a cloud solution rather than scalability specifically. Similarly, the possibility of lower prices at scale refers to cost-effectiveness that can be achieved with increased usage but is not an intrinsic definition of scalability. Lastly, environmental protection through reduced consumption, while a benefit that can arise from efficient cloud usage, does not directly define scalability in the context of adjusting resources.