10
May
Private Versus Public Cloud
Cloud hosting offers businesses ease of access, reduction of infrastructure costs and various levels of customisation. Public cloud hosting relies on a shared, public network of resources that simultaneously services multiple clients. Private cloud services are systems of hardware, storage and networks devoted entirely to a single client. Determining which cloud hosting model will integrate most effectively with your business’s needs is based primarily on three factors.
Security Needs:
Private clouds are dedicated to a single company. Therefore, the hardware, data storage and network used within the cloud are designed so that they are unable to be accessed by those outside the company – thereby providing a level of security not found in public cloud hosting options. Furthermore, for this same reason, private cloud hosts can be customised to the required specifications – whereas publically hosted clouds cannot.
Budgeting Capabilities:
As a result of the “pay as you go” rate structure, public cloud hosting is the most commonly used cloud hosting option. For small and mid-sized enterprises, this allows for a reduction of wasteful spending by eliminating the need to pay for unneeded services. Larger enterprises often possess greater infrastructure and security needs and therefore are more likely to utilise the larger scale, more secure hosting option, despite the disparity in pricing.
Self-Management Capabilities:
Public cloud hosting services require self-managed systems that work well for technical buyers with an interest and competency in the setup and management of servers but serves as a significant disadvantage for businesses looking for a fully managed system. The ability and willingness of your business to setup and manage your servers is a key factor in determining which cloud hosting service is best for your business.
So, you want the best of both worlds? The security of the private cloud but the flexibility of the public cloud? Thankfully, there’s a middle ground – a hybrid cloud solution. We’ve championed hybrid cloud adoption and it’s easy to see why companies are jumping on board. A hybrid cloud option merges together both public and private cloud systems. You’ll still need the on-premise hardware that’s needed for the private cloud, but you can use an encrypted connection to utilise it with your third-party public cloud services.
The security of the hybrid cloud is still being heavily debated by IT professionals. You won’t have the same peace of mind that you would with a simple private cloud solution, just by the very fact that you’re opening it up to interact with the public cloud. However, for larger businesses trying to scale while protecting their data, the hybrid cloud has become a popular middle-ground solution as technology catches up with businesses’ needs.
The cloud has caused a lot of confusion for the general public. It’s the brunt of jokes in media that no one knows what the cloud even is. Now you’re looking into it for your own business only to find out that there’s a “public cloud” and a “private cloud”? How much more complex could it get?
Thankfully, it’s actually a much easier concept to explain than it may sound. Understanding the difference between the two versions of the cloud is the key to figuring out what’s best for you and your business.
Feeling more confident about what cloud option is right for you? Or maybe you have more questions about which model is right for your business? VpsCity can assist you by auditing your business’ needs and give you a roadmap to implement the cloud in a way that will work best for you. We specialise in cloud services, so you’ll know you’re in the right hands. Give us a call today.
