- The public cloud uses a multi-tenant model to enable users lease and use the same computing services over the internet.
- The main benefits of hosted private clouds include scalability, exclusivity and control, enhanced security, and more.
Public cloud refers to Internet-based computing services provided by third parties that can be provided for free or paid for on demand based on CPU cycles, storage or bandwidth usage. They also present challenges such as reduced internal controls, data security concerns, connectivity issues, limited customisation, and potential compliance barriers. Organisations must weigh these factors when considering public cloud services.
What is the public cloud
Public cloud refers to computing services that third-party cloud providers offer over the internet. Public cloud computing resources can be free or payable on the basis of CPU cycle usage, storage, or bandwidth consumed.
Companies choose public clouds to build cloud computing and storage capacity because of their ability to cut costs and achieve scalability. Now, let’s look at how public cloud works.
Also read: What is a multi cloud strategy and why use it?
How does the public cloud work
The public cloud uses a multi-tenant model to enable users to lease and use the same computing services over the internet. Unlike a traditional on-premise IT architecture, public cloud deployment doesn’t require users to deal with IT resource management complexities. Users have the necessary means to handle infrastructure as code.
Companies or individuals using public cloud services rely on a third-party provider for on-demand IT resources. It’s the service provider’s job to share these scalable resources using a dedicated network or the public internet. Public cloud computing is also known as utility computing since it delivers computing capabilities like any other utility service provider.
Also read: Effective cloud migration: Steps for planning and implementation
Public cloud challenges
Since public cloud services are externally sourced, they come with their own share of security implications and control issues. Let us now dive into the cons of public cloud and what companies need to take into consideration while employing this strategy.
Less internal control
Availing a public cloud service entails that the organisation will have lesser control on the physical hardware standards, automation, access management, IT management, and technical support. Since all of these services are outsourced to the external vendor, you might have to adjust quite a few business processes in order to ensure a smoother migration to the cloud.
Data security
Since multiple cloud users are hosted on the same platform by the cloud service provider, data vulnerability remains a raging issue in the case of public cloud providers. While vendors are getting better with their cloud data security practices and promises, it does not hide the fact that organisations are trusting an external vendor with their data and processes, and are still susceptible to a cyber attack more than they will be if they are on a private network.
Connection issues
Since public cloud platforms are hosted over the web, with no dependency whatsoever on the on-premise infrastructure, a connectivity issue might spell trouble with the entire cloud platform. One way to stay out of this would be to ensure that you have strong network connectivity at all times, irrespective of the physical conditions.
Lack of customisation
For organisations having a complex network dependency between applications or an intertwined business model, public clouds may pose a headache because of the rigidity of the multi-tenant architecture. Businesses cannot customise and optimise the use of resources on demand, they can only make the best of what the service provider has to offer. This one-size-fits-all methodology might be an issue for companies prone to rapid changes in their business and cloud strategy.
Compliance issues
When General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) updates rolled in, every organisation who was in business with the EU pushed harder than ever to get the compliance factors checked. In case an organisation is using public cloud services and needs to overcome a compliance hurdle for a particular client or partner, vendors might not be fast enough to provide the service and make all their resources compliant with every incoming change.
