Public Cloud vs Private Cloud vs Hybrid Cloud

Pre-requisite: Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is a type of remote computer network hosting, where massively distributed computers are connected to the Internet and made available through Internet Protocol networks such as the Internet. Cloud computing involves providing a service over the Internet, on-demand and utility computing, distributed systems, and data processing for resource pooling, scalability, rapid elasticity, and rapid recovery from failure.

Public Cloud

A Public Cloud is Cloud Computing in which the infrastructure and services are owned and operated by a third-party provider and made available to the public over the internet. The public can access and use shared resources, such as servers, storage, and applications and the main thing is you pay for what you used. . Examples of public cloud providers – are Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

Advantages

• Cost Efficient: In the public cloud, we have to pay for what we used. So it is more cost-efficient than maintaining the physical servers or their own infrastructure.
• Automatic Software Updates: In the public cloud, there are automatic software updates. we don’t have to update the software manually.
• Accessibility: Public clouds allow users to access their resources and applications from anywhere in the world. We just need an internet connection to access it.

Disadvantages

• Security and Privacy Concerns: Public clouds can be vulnerable to data breaches, cyber attacks, and other security risks. Since data is stored on servers owned by a third-party provider, there is always a risk that confidential or sensitive data may be exposed or compromised.
• Limited Control: With public cloud services, users have limited control over the infrastructure and resources used to run their applications. This can make it difficult to customize the environment to meet specific requirements.
• Reliance on Internet Connectivity: Public cloud services require a reliable and stable internet connection to access the resources and applications hosted in the cloud. If the internet connection is slow or unstable, it can affect the performance and availability of the services.
• Service Downtime: Public cloud providers may experience service downtime due to hardware failures, software issues, or maintenance activities. This can result in temporary loss of access to applications and data.
• Compliance and Regulatory Issues: Public cloud services may not meet certain compliance or regulatory requirements, such as those related to data privacy or security. This can create legal or contractual issues for businesses that are subject to these requirements.
• Cost Overruns: Public cloud services are typically billed on a pay-per-use basis, which can result in unexpected cost overruns if usage exceeds anticipated levels. Additionally, the cost of using public cloud services may increase over time, as providers adjust their pricing models or add new features and services.

Private Cloud

A Private Cloud is a cloud computing environment in which the infrastructure and services are owned and operated by a single organization, for example, a company or government, and it is accessed by only authorized users within that organization. Private Cloud organizations have their own data center. private cloud provides a higher level of security. Examples – HPE, Dell, VMware, etc.

Advantages

• Security Status: Private clouds provide a higher level of security. as the organization has full control over the cloud service. They can customize the servers to manage their security.
• Customization of Service:  Private clouds allow organizations to customize the infrastructure and services to meet their specific requirements. and also can customize the security.
• Privacy: Private clouds provide increased privacy as the organization(company or government ) has more control over who has access to their data and resources.

Disadvantages

• Higher Cost: Private clouds require dedicated hardware, software, and networking infrastructure, which can be expensive to acquire and maintain. This can make it challenging for smaller businesses or organizations with limited budgets to implement a private cloud.
• Limited Scalability: Private clouds are designed to serve a specific organization, which means that they may not be as scalable as public cloud services. This can make it difficult to quickly add or remove resources in response to changes in demand.
• Technical Complexity: Setting up and managing a private cloud infrastructure requires technical expertise and specialized skills. This can be a challenge for organizations that lack in-house IT resources or expertise.
• Security Risks: Private clouds are typically considered more secure than public clouds since they are operated within an organization’s own infrastructure. However, they can still be vulnerable to security risks such as data breaches or cyber attacks.
• Lack of Standardization: Private clouds are often built using proprietary hardware and software, which can make it challenging to integrate with other cloud services or migrate to a different cloud provider in the future.
• Maintenance and Upgrades: Maintaining and upgrading a private cloud infrastructure can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. This can be a challenge for organizations that need to focus on other core business activities.

Hybrid Cloud

A hybrid cloud is a combination of both public and private cloud environments that allows organizations to take advantage of the benefits of both types of clouds. It manages traffic levels during peak usage periods  It can provide greater flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness than using a single cloud environment. Examples – IBM, DataCore Software, Rackspace, Threat Stack, Infinidat, etc.

Advantages

• Flexibility: Hybrid cloud stores its data (also sensitive) in a private cloud server. While public server provides Flexibility and Scalability.
• Scalability: Hybrid cloud Enables organizations to move workloads back and forth between their private and public clouds depending on their needs.
• Security: Hybrid cloud controls over highly sensitive data. and it provides high-level security. Also, it takes advantage of the public cloud’s cost savings.

Disadvantages

• Complexity: Hybrid clouds are complex to set up and manage since they require integration between different cloud environments. This can require specialized technical expertise and resources.
• Cost: Hybrid clouds can be more expensive to implement and manage than either public or private clouds alone, due to the need for additional hardware, software, and networking infrastructure.
• Security Risks: Hybrid clouds are vulnerable to security risks such as data breaches or cyber attacks, particularly when there is a lack of standardization and consistency between the different cloud environments.
• Data Governance: Managing data across different cloud environments can be challenging, particularly when it comes to ensuring compliance with regulations such as GDPR or HIPAA.
• Network Latency: Hybrid clouds rely on communication between different cloud environments, which can result in network latency and performance issues.
• Integration Challenges: Integrating different cloud environments can be challenging, particularly when it comes to ensuring compatibility between different applications and services.
• Vendor Lock-In: Hybrid clouds may require organizations to work with multiple cloud providers, which can result in vendor lock-in and limit the ability to switch providers in the future.

Difference between Public Cloud vs Private Cloud vs Hybrid Cloud

Factors	Public Cloud	Private Cloud	Hybrid Cloud
Resources	Resources are shared among multiple customers	Resources are shared with a single organization	It is a  combination of public and private clouds. based on the requirement.
Tenancy	Data of multiple organizations is stored in the public cloud	Data of a single organization is stored in a clouds the public cloud	Data is stored in the public cloud, and provide security in the public cloud.
Pay Model	Pay what you used	Have a variety of pricing models	It can include a mix of public cloud pay-as-you-go pricing, and private cloud fixed pricing. It has other pricing models such as consumption-based, subscription-based, etc.
Operated by	Third-party service provider	Specific  organization	Can be a combination of both
Scalability and Flexibility	It has more scalability and flexibility,	It has predictability and consistency	It has scalability and flexibility by allowing organizations to use a combination of public and private cloud services.
Expensive	less expensive	More expensive	Can be more expensive, but it can also be less expensive , depending on the specific needs and requirements of the organization.
Availability	The general public (over the internet)	Restricted to a specific organization	Can be a combination of both.