Understanding the Different Types of Cloud

Many businesses have taken the cloud into consideration as their next technology implementation… but there’s more to adopting a cloud solution than going to the cloud store and asking for one. First, you need to determine what kind of cloud solution is best suited to your needs.

Doing so will require you to have some understanding of how each type of cloud functions. Below, we have provided a few basic guidelines to help you identify cloud types - complete with examples.

Public Cloud

First, we have the public cloud. The public cloud includes any service that leverages cloud technology and hosting to provide some utility to anyone who needs it. Depending on how you look at it, this could include solutions like Dropbox, Google Drive, Office 365, and the like.

The public cloud arguably also includes services that may not come to mind nearly as quickly, like Netflix. While this is really more of a technicality, the public cloud includes any service delivered through shared hosted resources. This includes data, applications, or whatever service is being offered. 

One of the nicest features of the public cloud is also one of its biggest drawbacks: the fact that a business leveraging the public cloud is entrusting the provider to keep their storage infrastructure secure. On the one hand, that takes the responsibility out of a business’ hands (cutting costs), but it also means that the business needs to be selective about the cloud provider they use.

Private Cloud

In comparison to the public cloud, a private cloud is one that you have control over. When utilizing a private cloud, you could be either leveraging an external provider’s hardware resources (which are offsite from your location), or using an onsite server to host a cloud yourself that enables remote access for your employees.

As you are in control of a private cloud, you can choose to use it for any of a variety of needs. These needs could include application hosting, data storage, backup support... the list goes on.

Hybrid Cloud

Of course, very few businesses find that one type of cloud can fulfill all of their business needs, so a hybrid cloud approach - one where both public and private cloud resources are leveraged - is a common approach for businesses to take. Company documents can be shared in a public cloud solution, like Google Drive, while mission-critical applications can be hosted in a private cloud - and that’s just one example.

For assistance bringing cloud utility into your business’ operations, reach out to Directive. Our professionals can assist you in creating a cloud strategy that suits your needs.