Posts Tagged "public cloud"

So you’ve decided that a cloud-based solution is the best answer to protect your organization’s data. You now must face the critical decision between hosting your data: Private Cloud vs Public Cloud. Should you host on a secure public cloud or utilizing your own private cloud. What is the difference between these two options? In a nutshell: a public cloud hosts storage for different companies at the same time and on the same server (or network) usually using self-contained virtual data centers, whereas a private cloud consists of dedicated servers that contain data for a single organization. With these definitions in mind, we will now take a look at some important considerations when deciding on a solution:

Private Cloud vs Public Cloud

1. Convenience vs Customization

When you host your software on a public cloud you are not responsible for managing or maintaining the hardware where it resides. This responsibility falls to the provider which reduces the amount of time your organization spends in testing and deployment. The price for this convenience is a limit on the amount of customizing you can do to your host environment.

2. Specific Compliance & Security

If your organization has a specific compliance requirement (such as HIPAA, Gramm-Leach-Bliley, etc), a private cloud is likely a necessity. Using a private cloud allows you to ensure the highest possible levels of security due to the fact that your cloud resides behind your own firewall instead of the provider’s firewall.

When it comes to deciding between public or private cloud hosting there is no answer that is always correct; it really does depend on your organization’s needs. If your organization has specific compliance requirements or prefers to have more control over customization you will likely want to consider a private cloud solution first, otherwise you might have everything you need in a secure public cloud solution. If you are unsure which solution would fit your organization best, the cloud experts at WHOA.com are here to help. For more information please contact us.

Despite the high-in-the-sky image conjured by the phrase “cloud computing,” documents in the cloud are not floating in a mystical ether. Instead, they’re being saved inside vaults of servers connected with snaking cables and blinking lights. If a business rents a portion of a server that’s shared with others, it’s a public cloud; if a business rents the entire server, that’s a private cloud. Businesses who are just starting to consider cloud-based IT services might be overwhelmed by all their options, including whether to go with a public or private cloud service.

Here are three key differences to help simplify the private cloud vs public cloud decision:

1. Public cloud solutions are generally more cost-effective than private cloud

Just like taking a public bus is generally a more cost-effective way to get from one place to another than hiring a limousine, the public cloud option is more affordable for most businesses and still gets the job done. Tech Target describes public cloud storage services as cost-effective because “organizations pay only for the resources they use.”

2. Private cloud solutions are generally more secure than public cloud

Although cloud security continues to evolve rapidly, there is less risk storing data on hardware that only your organization can access, compared to hardware shared with numerous organizations. Businesses considering using a public cloud should ask the vendor about data encryption, access controls, and other methods the vendor uses to ensure data security.

3. Private cloud solutions are better for large businesses with varied computing needs

A small business that’s looking for cloud solutions primarily to back up data won’t need the massive resources of a private cloud. However, large corporations with computing needs that are difficult to predict may prefer a private cloud for maximum flexibility.

Interested in learning more? Please contact us.

© 2018 WHOA.com All rights reserved.