Differences Between Public, Private &Amp; Hybrid Cloud

By Dhwani Madan | Business

As a professional working in the tech sector, you’re no doubt aware of the impact cloud computing has had on the business world. Your company may already be taking advantage of this technology to easily share information and network multiple offices without the need for maintaining your own servers. What a lot of people may not know, however, is that cloud computing takes many different forms. Even though “the cloud” often is discussed as if it was a single, monolithic entity, the truth is a little more complicated. If you’re planning for your company’s IT needs, it’s important to know the pros and cons of each type and what they could mean for you.

There are three main types of cloud infrastructures: public, private, and hybrid. As the name implies, the public cloud is a network shared by multiple organizations and maintained by a third-party provider. The key advantage this model provides is its scalability and affordability, but it offers little in the way of customization. On the other end of the spectrum, a private cloud server is one maintained and used by a single organization. This provides you with the ability to customize it to your specific needs and enhanced security, but it comes with a much higher price tag. A hybrid model of the cloud combines the public and private models, providing greater flexibility and resource optimization. However, its complexity requires a substantial investment.

Before you commit to a specific cloud computing provider, it is critical to understand your options and weigh the advantages and disadvantages each one brings. This can be the difference between having a setup that streamlines your operations or becoming bogged down in a lot of unwanted complications. If you want to learn more about the three main types of cloud computing, take a look at the accompanying resource.

Infographic created by HotWire Networks, a web hosting company