The cloud can mean different things to different organizations. There are various cloud subscription services that companies use – these are considered public clouds. They are services where your company data is often stored on the same server as that of other customers of the service.
A private cloud is a different type of cloud solution. This is where a company either hosts its own cloud-enabled server on-premises or uses a private server hosted by someone else. The main difference in a private cloud environment is that only your data and applications are stored on that server.
Using a mix of public and private cloud services is called hybrid cloud computing. 80% of enterprises use a hybrid cloud strategy, where some data and applications are run in one or more public cloud services, and some are in a private cloud environment.
Let’s take a look at both public and private cloud advantages and drawbacks. We’ll also discuss why using a hybrid approach to the cloud can give you the best of both worlds while reducing your risk of overdependence on one or the other.
Public Cloud – Pros & Cons
The public cloud is the one that most people have used both for personal and business purposes. The entire infrastructure (servers, storage, network) is owned by the service provider and delivered over the internet.
Within the public cloud environment, you’ll have varying levels of capabilities and control. For example, an application like Dropbox is a public cloud storage system, but you do not have much control over how it is set up or what you do with it. You must follow the parameters of what’s available.
Microsoft Azure, on the other hand, is also a public cloud environment but one that gives you more control over how you use it. Including adding applications and security controls to your environment.
Some of the most common deployments in a public cloud environment include business email, office applications, and sales and marketing applications.
Pros of Public Cloud
- Costs Less: Using a service provided by a 3rd party is less costly than hosting your own cloud server.
- Fast & Easy to Scale: Public cloud service providers make it easy for customers to scale up easily and near-instantly if they need more space or capabilities.
- No Maintenance: There are no ongoing maintenance or upgrades that you need to do because this is handled by the service provider.
Cons of Public Cloud
- Less Control: You do not have much control over the structure of the server environment.
- Less Security: While many public cloud providers have excellent security, there is a risk with some that may not. Your data and that of other customers are stored in the same server environment, this can lead to issues should a breach happen, or a server IP address is blacklisted.
- Possible Outages: When a public cloud provider has an outage, you have little control over when your data and applications will be available again. You have to wait until the issue is resolved by the 3rd party provider.
Private Cloud – Pros & Cons
The private cloud consists of computing resources that are completely dedicated to your company. Only your data and applications are stored on the cloud server, giving you much more control over the environment.
A private cloud server can be stored on-premises in your own data center or stored in the data center of a 3rd party service provider. But even if a 3rd party is renting the cloud server to you, a private cloud server will still be solely dedicated to your organization’s technology use.
Pros of Private Cloud
- More Flexibility: A private cloud server is like a fresh canvas that you can paint anything on. You can install the operating system you want, and add the applications and partitioning in the way that works best for your company.
- Better Security: No other organizations are using resources on the server, so security is much tighter. You have complete control over the security protocols you use to protect your data.
- You Can Address Outages: Instead of having to wait for someone else to resolve an issue if there is a server outage, you have the ability to reboot or otherwise troubleshoot server issues yourself to get it back up and running.
Cons of Private Cloud
- More Expensive: You will pay more for a completely dedicated private cloud environment than for public cloud space.
- Scaling Up Can Take Longer: If you need to scale your server resources, it may take a little longer on a private cloud server.
- You’re Responsible for Maintenance: When you use your own private cloud server, you are responsible for server maintenance. However, you can work with an IT provider for assistance.
Hybrid Cloud – the Best of Both Worlds
Using a hybrid approach of both public and private cloud environments allows you to save money on certain resources while getting the flexibility and security you need for others.
It also ensures that you’re less reliant on one or the other, which is good for business continuity and disaster recovery.
The cloud can mean different things to different organizations.
There is the public cloud, where your data is stored on the same server as that of other customers’.
There is the private cloud, where only your data and applications are stored on the server.
Using a mix of public and private cloud services is called hybrid cloud computing.
Pros of Public Cloud
- Costs Less
- Fast & Easy to Scale
- No Maintenance
Cons of Public Cloud
- Less Control
- Less Security
- Possible Outages
Pros of Private Cloud
- More Flexibility
- Better Security
- You Can Address Outages
Cons of Private Cloud
- More Expensive
- Scaling Up Can Take Longer
- You’re Responsible for Maintenance
Need a Trusted Guide to the Hybrid Cloud World?
X-Centric IT Solutions can guide you to the right solutions to modernize and protect your business by helping you choose the best mix of public and private cloud resources.
