What Are Private, Public, And Hybrid Cloud Services?

What is Private Cloud Storage and a Hybrid Cloud Storage?

Cloud storage solutions have revolutionized the way people work. Likewise, cloud technology has significantly reduced business expenses, skipping the need for costly servers to store and process business data.

Organizations that use the cloud enable users to store files and applications on a remote database. These users can access the data as long as there’s an internet connection, making remote work possible.

While familiar with cloud computing, many people may not know that there are three leading storage solutions under this technology. Learn more about these classifications below.

3 Main Types Of Cloud Storage Services

There are three ways where cloud technology can provide solutions to every user’s storage needs. Depending on the nature and needs of your organization, you may choose one or two of the following: public, private, or hybrid cloud services.

1. Public Cloud

As the name implies, the public cloud is a readily available storage solution shared among many universal users. Most software companies and applications use public cloud storage to accommodate millions of global users. Email account providers, major e-commerce platforms, and social media services rely on the public cloud.

Because applications and files can start small and grow big later, this type of cloud hosting service is flexible, scalable, and offers the cheapest subscription costs. Most of its essential services are for free, though.

Some of the best applications for the public cloud include:

• Storage and communication hosting for a few users
• Software development and testing
• As a backup solution for storage and other functions
• Moderate use of apps and services for business processes
• Organizations that don’t need on-site storage infrastructure

The Downsides

While considered the most used and most popular cloud hosting type, a user often faces the following issues:

• Increased subscription fees for larger businesses
• Of all the storage systems, the public cloud is the least secure
• Users lack the technical control to manage settings

2. Private Cloud

Conversely, private cloud services are computing solutions assigned to a single organization. As such, private cloud hosting is more secure and offers users better technical control over it.

Businesses that store and handle their clients’ data, such as clinics and banks, are often required to use this type of computing solution to ensure data privacy. Besides limiting data access to the organization’s staff, these firms can further set internal access restrictions to comply with state and federal regulations.

Private storage services require firms to keep on-site servers and spend for a physical server in the office. In some cases, companies may be allowed to have a third-party storage partner who operates the server outside of the business’s premises. Resources are then transmitted through a secure private network.

Private cloud services work best for the following:

• Public and private institutions that store and handle sensitive data
• Corporations that have branches in multiple states
• Entities that require heavy information technology (IT) use
• Growing organizations willing to invest in technologies

The Downsides

• It’s costlier to use and maintain compared to paid public storage hosting
• May not be accessible to all mobile devices
• Low scalability, especially for organizations with limited IT infrastructure or can’t afford to upgrade

References

1. CISO Mag “36 Bn Records Exposed in Data Breaches in 2020”, Source:  https://cisomag.eccouncil.org/2020-is-the-worst-year-on-record-in-terms-of-data-breaches-survey