An increasing number of C-level executives in the technology arena are becoming frustrated with the public cloud and looking at their options.
Of course, finding other options can be easier said than done, as a private cloud brings its own set of problems. Consequently, the prospect of hybrid cloud solutions is growing more attractive.
The purpose of the hybrid cloud is to merge the best of both public and private clouds and get the best of both worlds.
Public cloud pros and cons
The most attractive part of the public cloud is lower IT costs and its ability to scale as the business grows. These 2 benefits are directly connected by the very nature of what the public cloud is.
When a number of companies all use space in the cloud, the third-party provider is able to reduce the overall cost to each individual participant. The same dynamic makes growth easier.
Sharing a cloud also has negative consequences. Security is a much bigger challenge, with possible malware coming from a number of different sources. Furthermore, a business will not control its own security, having outsourced that to the public cloud provider.
Private cloud benefits
The private cloud, on the other hand, when managed by the in-house IT team, offers reduced exposure to viruses and direct control over security. A private cloud can also be customized to fit the specific needs of the business.
Hybrid cloud solutions
As the name implies, the hybrid cloud is a combination of public and private resources. Data that absolutely cannot be compromised can be kept on the private cloud, taking advantage of the increased security and customization. Less sensitive data, perhaps larger in volume, can be outsourced to the public cloud at a lower cost.
Each business has different security needs and different levels of data. Hybrid cloud solutions may be the best way to meet those needs.