Blog Post

By now, the idea of using a cloud space is generally accepted as a way to expand the server base quickly. When it comes to your company though, should you use a public cloud or private cloud? A public cloud by definition is a multi-tenant environment, wherein you purchase a small part or section of the cloud that you share with multiple organizations or clients. In contrast, a private cloud is a single-tenant space in which only one organization controls the hardware, storage, and network. Here are some ways they differ and what you should consider when deciding which model is right for your business.

The first area to consider when deciding which cloud model to choose is security. A private cloud is more secure because only members of a particular organization have access to it. In a private cloud, the hardware, data storage and network are only accessible within a particular organization. So, if you are only using the cloud to store information necessary to your company’s members a private cloud might be the best option.

Even though public clouds have more routes of access, they are not necessarily insecure. There are plenty of measures in place to secure access, and many other tactics people use to increase the security of your standard public cloud solution. CIO offers their list of 10 ways to ease public cloud security concerns, including adding authentication layers, adding encryption, and streamlining logging and monitoring. So even though the private cloud is more secure overall, there are many options available to make a public cloud more secure.

Another consideration for cloud users is cost. A public cloud is generally paid for by the hour, and you are charged only for the resources you use. A private cloud, on the other hand, is more expensive since you pay an upfront cost for the service. However, according to interoute.com a private cloud makes “more efficient use of the computing resource than traditional LANs as they minimize the investment into unused capacity.” This efficiency can lead to a cost saving for the company and also reduce the company’s carbon footprint.