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Recent years have seen cloud computing diversify into several deployment models suited to different workloads and business needs. The general classifications fall either into the category of public or private cloud, though many organizations use both in the form of a hybrid cloud deployment.
Most of today’s computing workloads are handled in a public cloud environment, in which the underlying computing infrastructure is shared among multiple customers. The biggest public cloud providers are Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and the Google Cloud Platform.
The private cloud, by contrast, is a computing environment that is dedicated exclusively to the use of a specific organization. Private clouds may be hosted either in on-premises or off-site data centers and managed internally or in part or in full by an external partner.
Both options have their inherent benefits and drawbacks, which is why many businesses rely on both deployment models for handling specific use cases. When choosing which model to migrate a specific workload to, it is vital that you understand these pros and cons to minimize the risk to your organization.
Here are the three most important areas you need to consider when making your decision:
#1. Cybersecurity and Compliance
Although the major public cloud providers have the backing of some of the largest companies in the world, they still come with unique security and compliance concerns. For the most part, these are beyond the control of the vendor, not least because most security-related incidents are due to mismanaged access rights on the customer’s end.
Multitenancy is also a concern for businesses operating in highly regulated industries, such as healthcare or defense. Although the risk of a data leak on the vendor’s end is very low, the regulatory landscape makes it a practical necessity for certain workloads to be handled in the private cloud. For example, many categories of sensitive data cannot be legally stored abroad, and public cloud providers don’t always give you full control over where your data physically resides. Furthermore, and even despite the extremely high security standards of the industry leaders, it can
still be difficult to apply internal security policies and controls in an external IT environment.
#2. Scalability and Flexibility
Vendors like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, have practically unlimited computing and data storage capacity, allowing businesses to scale almost effortlessly with demand. Provisioning new virtual machines and cloud storage is often as simple as a few clicks, making the public cloud extremely scalable. The sector has also evolved to the point it can accommodate almost all computing workloads, including those with specialized hardware or software requirements.
That being said, a private cloud provides greater flexibility, at least in theory. Since you have complete control over your private cloud computing assets, you can tailor your deployment to meet the needs of virtually any use case. On the other hand, issues with computability and integration, especially with regards to legacy hardware and software, can become a burden on management. Fortunately, private cloud infrastructures can also be outsourced, allowing businesses to enjoy many of the benefits of the public cloud but without its main drawbacks.
#3. Implementation and Maintenance Costs
Implementation costs
Public cloud: Implementing a public cloud environment comes with the advantage of low upfront costs since there is no need to invest in hardware or software. Instead, you only pay for the services you actually use, following a pay-as-you-go model. However, it is crucial to monitor your cloud spending carefully to avoid any surprises in your monthly charges.
Private cloud: While the initial investment for a private cloud environment is higher compared to a public cloud, the long-term control over costs is worth considering. With a private cloud, you are not bound by the pay-as-you-go pricing model of public cloud providers, giving you more flexibility and cost control.
Maintenance costs
Public Cloud: Maintenance costs for a public cloud environment are typically kept low since the cloud provider takes care of managing and maintaining the infrastructure. However, there may be additional charges for services like data backup and recovery, as well as for support from the cloud provider.
Private cloud: Managing and maintaining your own hardware and software infrastructure in a private cloud environment can lead to higher maintenance costs compared to the public cloud. This could potentially require you to hire additional IT staff or even outsource your cloud management to a third-party provider.
In the long run, while implementing and maintaining a private cloud may come with higher costs compared to a public cloud, it offers greater control over your expenses and security.
What is the most suitable option for your business?
Most businesses will want to make use of both the public and private cloud, depending on the computing workloads in question. The right solution for the job depends on a variety of factors, such as the use case, any relevant regulations, and limitations. For example, highly sensitive proprietary data should generally be handled in a private cloud, while other routine business operations can continue to benefit from the low costs and accessibility of the public cloud.
Charles IT provides fully managed private and public cloud-based technology solutions to give your business complete freedom to build a tailor-made computing environment. Receive your instant quote today to find out more!
