Cloud computing is the fifth generation of computing that allows applications to be accessed from anywhere via the internet. It is projected to grow six times faster than traditional IT spending, reaching $42 billion by 2012. Key benefits include lower upfront and ongoing costs, easier application access, and improved datacenter utilization. However, security concerns, latency issues, and lack of control present barriers for some applications. Private enterprise clouds can provide cloud advantages internally while addressing barriers through server virtualization, availability, and control over resource allocation.