As of 2019, a staggering 90% of businesses relied on cloud computing to some extent for their daily operations. The number of them that are using the best cloud solution for their situation, though, is likely much smaller.
There’s a lot to unpack when choosing a cloud hosting service. Even so, the most important question to answer is whether you should go with a private or public option.
There are plenty of compelling pros and cons to both sides of the private cloud vs. public cloud question, and the answer is different for every situation. Read on to learn how to make the right decision for your business’s needs.
Public Cloud Computing
Public cloud servers are off-site data centers that store information from many sources.
Your data shares space with everyone else who’s purchased the service. It’s similar to living in a high-rise apartment complex. Some public cloud examples include Microsoft Azure, Google Drive, and many other cloud-based CRM programs.
The largest pro of public cloud servers—and the reason many people choose them—is the low cost. Because the server infrastructures are so large, you can scale your usage up and down without your provider having to increase their storage space. You’ll only have to pay for the exact amount of storage you’re using, making it an efficient investment for dynamic businesses.
Other public cloud benefits include zero in-house maintenance, reliable infrastructure, and not needing to buy server hardware.
While the lower price tag is enticing, it does come at a cost—decreased control over security. The US government has security guidelines that public clouds must follow, and data breaches are uncommon. Still, if you handle a lot of sensitive business or customer information, you may not want to put your data in the public domain.
Private Cloud Computing
If public clouds are an apartment complex, private cloud servers are an owned, single-family home. Private or internal clouds are owned by one business and hold only that business’s data.
Some private cloud servers are hosted on-site, but others still trust a third-party data center to host their information on a dedicated server.
If your business has to stick to stringent IT or data management policies, a private cloud server makes that easier. They’re completely customizable to your needs, and you can implement as many security measures as you want to keep your data safe.
The downside is that private clouds are very expensive to set up and maintain. You can’t take a hands-off approach and need to have an IT team on standby to make sure nothing goes wrong.
Cloud Migration
If your business is using public cloud computing and wants to make the switch to private (or vice versa), cloud migration is the next step.
Tight budgets, outdated systems, and network security risks can make this a daunting process. Rather than trying to do it on your own, it’s best to enlist the help of an expert IT company to give you real-time support through the process.
Answering the Private Cloud vs. Public Cloud Debate for Your Business
The private cloud vs. public cloud debate doesn’t have one correct answer. Even so, after weighing the pros and cons outlined above, you’ll be able to make a better-informed decision on which one to use in your business.
Looking for other ways to improve your startup or small business? Make sure to read through the rest of our articles for more helpful advice.