If you’re considering putting your data in the cloud, you’ve probably done your research and come across three types of cloud solutions: public, private, and hybrid. Deciphering the cloud solution that is right for your business’ data can be tough, but we’re here to help. Today, we’ll look at the differences between public, private, and hybrid cloud, and explain the situations in which you might want to consider a certain cloud solution over another.
Public Cloud
The public cloud is probably what you think of when you hear the word ‘cloud’ and is usually a hyperscaler such as Google, AWS, and Azure. The public cloud is great for businesses with excess or large amounts of data because it is scalable and can be as big or as small as you need it to be. There is also no capital expenditure up front since it is a pay as you go model, making this cloud solution great for businesses with a tight budget; however, if you aren’t paying attention to the amount of data that you have in the public cloud, you could be hit with an unexpected large bill.
On the flip side, public cloud isn’t for everyone due to the fact that it makes data governance problematic. As a user, you have to decide how comfortable you are with not knowing where your data is at any given time and not having direct access to it. You’ll also need a migration plan for your data.
Is the public cloud right for you? It depends. We consider the public cloud a means to an end, not a solution. It can do whatever you want it to do and house however much data you’d like it to, but are you willing to foot the monthly bill?
Private Cloud
The private cloud is exactly what it sounds like – private! It isn’t available to the general public, but data is stored in either your own data center or rented space in someone else’s data center. It has the same benefits of self-service and scalability as the public cloud, but you have total governance over the data and increased control of security. The downfalls of the private cloud are that it requires capital expenditure up front. You’ll also need a mature IT team to manage your data in the private cloud, meaning that this solution might not be the best fit for small startups.
Hybrid Cloud
Hybrid cloud allows you to shuffle your data between the public and private cloud and is the most common cloud solution. Why would you want to implement hybrid cloud? One reason might be if you want your data on-premises in a private cloud, but want the ability to fail over in the event of a disaster. This solution is also good for businesses with very large amounts of data, so they can leverage public cloud storage for excess data that they don’t have room for on-premises.
Cloud solutions can be confusing, but we have experts on staff to assist you in making the right decision for your business. If you think you’re ready to have a cloud discussion, CMA can help! Contact us today to get started.