The three main types of cloud services are public, private, and hybrid. Each cloud storage method has its respective upsides and downsides, so it’s important to understand how to choose the right one for your business.
Here we’ll go over each cloud service and discuss the differences between them to help you make a decision for your business.
Public Cloud
The public cloud is what a majority of internet users wind up using for cloud storage. This method entails another company that owns and operates servers, manages security, and in some cases works to meet data standards for certain compliances, including HIPAA compliance for medical patients. The company then rents out space on the servers and charges based on the desired amount of storage space, bandwidth, and other needs.
Public cloud storage is considerably cheaper than on-site storage, without any need to upgrade the hardware. Most public cloud providers have security measures in place to prevent potential data compromisation, and it’s also consistently fast.
While these benefits make public cloud a good option, the main con is the fact that despite being secure and isolated for each user, even plans that claim to be unlimited will have certain limitations. If your company frequently uses cloud data and may reach or exceed your plan’s data transfer limits, you may want to consider another option.
Private Cloud
Private cloud storage isn’t too different from public storage, as all data goes through the internet. However, private cloud storage enables you to use an on-premise server for improved security and access control. You can even use the private cloud to host separate sectors of your business. The added overall security and responsiveness makes this appealing for many businesses.
Keep in mind that buying and running the cloud service on your own will leave you responsible for hardware maintenance and upgrades, but you can always find a company to host your private cloud for you, maintained on their own servers.
Hybrid Cloud
This type of cloud storage uses a combination of a private and public cloud for data hosting. It’s quickly becoming one of the most popular options for businesses small to large, particularly those at enterprise level. While it may be considered redundant to store data on public and private clouds, it’s safer in the long run with the ability to preserve data in the event of an outage. Outages are likely to happen to anyone, making the hybrid cloud a highly viable option.
This type of storage is also more flexible than other models.
Making the Right Decision
When trying to determine which type of cloud storage is ideal for your business, consider these pros and cons, and perform a cost-benefit analysis before making your purchase to ensure you don’t spend any more than you need to on these services. You can also consult with a reputable managed IT company such as Fulton May Solutions for reliable cloud storage.
