Describe what 'cloud bursting' is.

Cloud bursting refers to a hybrid cloud strategy in which an organization utilizes its private cloud for its baseline capacity but can extend into a public cloud environment to accommodate spikes in demand. This approach allows companies to maintain control and security of their data and applications in their private cloud while taking advantage of the public cloud's scalability for peak loads or unexpected surges in workload.

This strategy is particularly useful for businesses that experience fluctuating demands, allowing them to manage costs effectively by only using the public cloud resources when necessary and avoiding over-provisioning within their private infrastructure. The public cloud acts as a flexible extension, enabling quick resource allocation without the need for major investments in additional on-premise hardware. Thus, it helps in maintaining performance without compromising on cost-effectiveness.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately represent the concept. Avoiding cloud usage wouldn’t align with the flexibility that cloud bursting offers; permanently shifting services eliminates the hybrid approach that defines cloud bursting; and improving data transfer speeds into local servers does not pertain to the principles of cloud bursting at all.