Cloud computing was not so popular when it was first introduced. However, things have changed since then. Not only is the cloud highly popular now, but it has also become the norm for business applications and services. So much so that the big choice nowadays is between public cloud and private cloud. Which one is better?
Like most technological matters, it’s not as simple as that. There are cases that justify the time, effort, and costs to maintain a private cloud. There are other cases where the public cloud is the better choice. Determining the right option in any scenario is a matter of figuring out what the organization’s needs are.
Cloud is Not Mainframe
Some confusion surrounding cloud computing revolves around misunderstandings about what cloud computing is. First, the cloud is not mainframe. It is a means to provide hardware, data storage, networking, and software services remotely. One can think of cloud computing as a direct derivative of the old mainframe model, but it is much more than that.
With the cloud, companies do not need to host their own hardware or software. They don’t have to maintain applications and databases on servers in their own offices. Everything in the cloud can be accessed from anywhere in the world using mobile devices or computers. The cloud provides everything you need with global access, supported by state-of-the-art security.
Difference Between Public and Private
The public cloud environment is a hosted environment in data centers on server racks that can share resources with other clouds. Public clouds are not confined by exclusive firewalls to prevent external access. So while there are security measures in place to protect public cloud data, the actual server space is not closed off.
Private clouds, on the other hand, are the opposite. They provide a set of hardware and software services tailored to specific clients, all protected behind exclusive firewalls and sharing resources. More often than not, private clouds are hosted on private networks.
It’s possible to combine private and public clouds in a hybrid scenario. Non-mission-critical or extra security-sensitive services can be in the public space while others are hosted in private clouds.
Choosing the Right Option
The cloud environment offers services in one of three common categories:
– Software as a Service (SaaS)
– Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
– Platform as a Service (PaaS).
Both SaaS and IaaS can be hosted in private cloud scenarios, but they are more commonly found in public clouds. Microsoft Office 365 is a good example. It is a SaaS product accessible to customers via the public cloud.
Choosing Private over Public
So, is there a reason to choose private cloud? Absolutely. Private cloud is the better choice if data and infrastructure require top-level security at various levels. When it’s private, you don’t trust a third party to manage the environment. Take the third party out of the equation, and security automatically increases.
Owning and operating your own data center is another reason to develop a private cloud. If you’re investing the time, money, and effort into data center operations, you might as well host your own cloud. There’s no point in paying a third party to do something your company already has set up.
The desire for absolute control and customization is another reason some companies opt to make their clouds private. When you manage everything yourself, all decisions are in your hands. You control everything, from the hardware used to your compliance strategy.
Choosing Public over Private
Running a private cloud has its benefits, but it’s not a walk in the park. Companies must truly commit to it. That commitment includes committing to resources, without which it’s better to use a public cloud environment.
The main benefit of public cloud is that they’re managed by third parties. You pay for the hardware and software you need. The provider handles everything from maintenance to security updates. And when hardware needs replacing – and it ultimately always does – that’s the provider’s problem, not yours.
Public clouds aren’t without their downsides. They almost always share resources, so there may be some speed and accessibility issues if the provider isn’t staying on top of everything. Also, you might end up paying for things you don’t need in a public cloud environment. You also don’t have absolute control over the infrastructure and security.
Both public and private clouds serve valuable purposes. Neither is better or worse than the other. It’s all about choices, and the one that best meets your organization’s needs is the best choice for you.