If you perform any type of business or conduct work using the internet, you’ve likely come into contact with the cloud or cloud-based infrastructure. Cloud-based computing opportunities have expanded users’ access to resources, storage, flexibility, and security.
Cloud computing offers multiple advantages for personal and professional use cases. It’s important to understand which types of cloud computing exist and which ones are most appropriate for your particular business need.
Keep reading to understand the differences between public and private cloud computing and how you can leverage both to grow and scale.
What is Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing involves the process of providing computer-based services over the internet. A cloud computing framework can include multiple components and IT services, such as:
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Server networks
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Storage databases
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Software tools
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Analytics
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Artificial intelligence applications
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Security infrastructure
Cloud computing is on-demand and offers scalable pricing for companies that don’t want to maintain physical data centers or in-house servers.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Cloud Computing Types 
Organizations around the world use managed IT services and cloud computing vendors to grow and scale their business operations. The benefits and drawbacks largely depend on what the business needs at a given time and which cloud computing type is the ideal fit.
Whether a cloud computing option is beneficial or not most often depends on:
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Associated costs
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Level of maintenance required
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Scalability and growth potential
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Reliability and uptime/downtime
Regardless of other factors, up to 31% of IT leaders worldwide report belief in the free movement of workloads across cloud-based platforms. This confidence contributes to reliance on the cloud and data migration.
What is a Private Cloud?
A private cloud is a single-use cloud framework. Unlike public clouds, a private version is used exclusively by one business or organization for a specific set of needs. Although the option is available to host a private cloud on-site, they can also be stored or maintained by third-party providers.
When to Use a Private Cloud
Organizations should opt for a private cloud setup when there’s extra pressure stemming from regulations or compliance measures. As a result, a private cloud is perhaps most helpful for the following types of organizations.
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Financial services
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Government agencies
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Large corporate entities
Advantages of Using Private Cloud
There are definitive advantages to using a private cloud infrastructure, but they’re certainly not required for security or effectiveness. One of the most significant benefits of a private cloud is the level of environmental control that it offers. Other noteworthy features include:
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Extra flexibility to adapt to personalized business needs
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No need to share resources with other organizations
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More privacy and heightened physical security
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Greater potential to scale (due to the cloud only being used by one organization)
What is a Public Cloud?
In contrast to private clouds, public clouds are far more widespread. They are common, readily accessible, and offered by third-party providers or vendors. Public cloud capabilities are similarly delivered via the internet to the organizations or businesses that pay to use a particular cloud service.
When to Use a Public Cloud
Businesses and organizations should take advantage of a public cloud when:
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There is not as much need for a single-use cloud application
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There are fewer compliance or regulatory standards to meet
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Budget is a primary factor when choosing a cloud provider
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The organization wants a more “hands-off” approach and plans to outsource
Start-ups, local businesses, school systems, and other small-scale organizations can take advantage of third-party public clouds. With these options, there is less to set up and a shorter wait time for getting started.
Advantages of Using a Public Cloud
Choosing a public cloud doesn’t mean you’re settling. In fact, public clouds have multiple advantages that make them the ideal choice, especially when you first start your cloud computing journey.
Advantages of using a public cloud service include:
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Large number of publicly accessible options to choose from (Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform, etc.)
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Less time required to set up and maintain
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Flexible pricing and budget-friendly solutions
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Multiple storage options based on need, file type, and file size
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Resource pooling, which expands access to software, hardware, and network systems
How to Know Which Cloud is Better for Your Company
For companies that want to migrate to the cloud or move to another type (private cloud vs. public cloud), a foundational understanding of cloud computing and an overarching strategy are both helpful.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to knowing what your exact business needs are. If your company has already identified IT service needs, business pain points, and growth limitations, you’re in a stronger decision-making position.
To ultimately decide on a private versus public cloud, identify your specific goals around the following characteristics.
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Flexibility
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Data privacy
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Security
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Software control
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Budget
Discover the Right Hybrid Solutions for Success
At Compugen, we understand and embrace the varied paths that lead organizations to a cloud-based computing model. In fact, our expert team can help you optimize, strategize, and find the hybrid solution that you need to achieve measurable results and real success.
To save big and go far, schedule a Hybrid IT Audit with the experts at Compugen today. We can help you redefine your business operations and customer experience with modern and innovative technology solutions.
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