Cloud computing is Internet-based computing in which shared resources, software and information are delivered as a service that computers or mobile devices can access on demand. Cloud computing is already used extensively in education. Free or low-cost cloud-based services are used daily by learners and educators to support learning, social interaction, content creation, publishing and collaboration. Examples of cloud-based services include Google Apps, YouTube, Twitter and Dropbox. While cloud computing has many benefits, it also involves risks, and has privacy and security implications. School authority leaders have an important role to play in making decisions about cloud-based services and in developing guidelines for use. School authority leaders, educators, IT leaders, legal counsel and FOIP coordinators should work together to balance value and risks. This briefing provides an overview of cloud computing and explains how it differs from on-premise computing and third-party hosting arrangements. It includes some key questions to consider when making decisions about cloud computing. (Contains 3 footnotes.)