Private cloud versus public cloud: the main differences

What is the private cloud?

The name says it all: a private cloud is an environment that the cloud provider delivers to a single organisation. Unlike in the public cloud, in a private cloud you do not share resources with other customers. You have all the resources and services you need, but do not share any hardware or software with other organisations. 

One major advantage of the private cloud is that it gives your organisation greater control over its configuration and security. You can tailor the cloud to the specific needs of your business (more scope for customisation) and the level of security required. Unlike with a public cloud, you always know exactly where your data is stored. 

One potential disadvantage of the private cloud is that maintenance and updates can be complex. With a private cloud that you yourself manage, you often also have to take into account the purchase of additional software and the installation of hardware. Scaling up quickly and cheaply is often easier in the public cloud.

What is the public cloud?

In the case of a public cloud (Azure, AWS, Google Cloud), your cloud environment, hardware, and software are located in the cloud provider’s cloud environment. They also own the cloud resources and provide the cloud services and resources you need via the internet. You share the cloud infrastructure with the provider’s other customers.

There are both advantages and disadvantages to a public cloud. One of the advantages is that you are not responsible for managing and updating the software and servers yourself. This means you no longer incur additional costs for hardware and software upgrades, and you do not need to hire specialised IT staff to manage your systems. Another advantage of the public cloud is its elasticity. It is very easy to add extra resources and computing power quickly. Furthermore, you only pay for what you actually use, which means that with a sound policy and overview, you can achieve significant cost savings with a public cloud.

The main disadvantage of a public cloud is the limited scope for customisation. Public cloud platforms mainly offer generic functionality. Options tailored to your specific business are not available or are difficult to implement. In addition, you should also pay close attention to the location of data. Your data may be stored outside Belgium or Europe, which is not permitted for certain types of sensitive data.

The main differences between the private and public cloud

Although the private and public cloud share several similarities (underlying technology, operational efficiency), there are also significant differences. The most important ones are listed below.

Security and access control

In the private cloud, you are largely responsible for securing your own data, IT infrastructure and (virtualised) hardware, whereas in the public cloud there is shared responsibility: the cloud provider is responsible for securing all hardware and software infrastructure that is supplied. All you need to do is focus on securing your data and applications. A private cloud offers more customisation options for granular access control and data security than its public counterpart. In a private cloud, you can also opt for secure private connections that bypass the public internet entirely.

Costs and scalability

But what about costs and scalability? In terms of adoption and maintenance costs, the private cloud is usually somewhat more expensive because you are dealing with greater complexity, customisation, and your own responsibilities. However, costs can be limited through automation, flexible agreements on licences, and tools for cost management and budget planning. 
The public cloud offers greater scalability than the private cloud, but is less reliable in terms of performance due to its shared resource model. The greater reliability and higher uptime can ultimately make the private cloud more attractive in terms of cost (downtime costs money) than the public cloud.

Adaptability and control

In the public cloud, you are largely dependent on the technology offered by the cloud provider and the policy choices made by that party. The possibilities for customisation are limited. The private cloud offers much greater adaptability to the specific needs of your organisation. The level of control that the user can exercise is also higher, as you decide for yourself where your data is stored.

Availability and reliability

In the private cloud, you have dedicated servers that are reserved specifically for your organisation. In the public cloud, you share server space with the cloud provider’s other customers. The private cloud therefore offers a better uptime guarantee. In addition, private clouds offer the advantage of redundant (dual) facilities and excellent failover capabilities.

When should you opt for the private cloud and when for the public cloud?

But which cloud is the best option, and when? A private cloud is the best choice if you are looking for a high degree of control and adaptability. Consider, for example, organisations that process large amounts of sensitive data and have to comply with strict rules on data and privacy protection. Or companies operating in a highly specialised business that requires a great deal of customised IT. Bear in mind that setting up and managing a private cloud requires more specialist expertise than is the case with a public cloud.

Are ease of use and scalability high on your list of priorities? Would you like to be relieved of any concerns regarding security, IT infrastructure and hardware? Then the public cloud is an excellent choice.

Make an informed choice

As you can see, both the private and public cloud have their own unique characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. The best choice for you depends entirely on your wishes and needs. The public cloud is easier to manage and excels in terms of scalability and ease of use. The private cloud is somewhat more complex, but offers more customisation options in terms of security and configuration. Private clouds also tend to fare better in terms of performance. It is particularly important that you have a clear understanding of which cloud aspects are important to you. You can then make an informed choice based on a specific list of requirements and preferences.

About Eurofiber Belgium

Eurofiber offers a range of high-quality cloud solutions. The Eurofiber Private Cloud offers a secure virtual data centre environment based on high-quality infrastructure. You benefit from a secure and scalable cloud platform that provides an ideal basis for developing or hosting business applications and setting up a complex IT environment.

Secure Cloud Connect also provides you with a virtual private network to the cloud that separates your cloud environment from the public internet. Finally, DCspine provides a fully automated online interconnection platform for data centres that takes your connectivity to an even higher level.