Public Cloud versus Private Cloud – here’s what you need to know. - NPIT

Public Cloud versus Private Cloud – here’s what you need to know.

Simon
Director
Cloud Deployment

Data is crucial to the day-to-day running and development of a company, so it needs to be backed up and stored somewhere safe. One such method that is increasingly popular is saving it to the Cloud.

This essentially means storing data on hardware in an offsite physical location. The benefit is that data can be accessed from any device via the internet- whether you’re physically in the office or not. In addition, this solution allows for almost unlimited scalability as well as great flexibility for your staff with remote working.

Whilst there are several types of cloud storage, the main two options are Public Cloud or a Private Cloud.

Public cloud data is stored over the public internet. With a private cloud, there is a private IT infrastructure for the dedicated use of a single organisation or business.

Both options provide a viable solution for storing data. Ultimately it comes down to the needs of the business when choosing the most suitable cloud strategy.

It is important to note:
Whether it is stored physically onsite or with a cloud provider, the company themselves are the data controller and are responsible for keeping the data safe and secure.

Public vs Private Cloud

At a first glance public clouds may seem more reputable and have lower perceived costs. However, they are often accompanied with hidden costs and ongoing extra investment in cybersecurity and backup.

As your business grows, chances are that the private cloud can provide a better ROI and higher security, at a lower cost, longer term.

Here we compare the features of using both private and public cloud storage as well as the benefits of data storage in general.

In summery:

Public vs Private Cloud

Private Clouds

Application Usage – businesses can select the specific services they need and tailor applications around them.
No unnecessary expense – the removal of unnecessary apps, decreased application usage and server load ultimately saves on costs.
Operating expenditure – hardware and employee expenses are generally covered by the data centre provider as well. This makes IT costs a monthly operating expense instead of a capital expense for the business.
Flexibility – this is where private cloud platforms outshine. Businesses can cherry pick their own solution, to meet their unique company needs at a reasonable price. In addition, the data centre is flexible enough to scale up and down as requirements change over time. New technologies can also be easily integrated.
GDPR – a private cloud allows businesses to know exactly where their data is hosted, how it is processed and protected. The data controller can retrieve the data in a structured, readable format any time they need.
Transparency – Information and analytics are provided in real-time with transparent costs and data usage. It is, therefore, easier to retain ownership and control of data, requiring less resources to do so.

Public Clouds

Complexity – public solutions platforms offer a large selection of applications so selecting the exact solution for you can be challenging.
Reduced Visibility – it can be hard to gain visibility into the provider’s infrastructure and bandwidth costs and assess whether they meet your requirements.
Pre-Packed – the apps associated with public clouds are often packaged as part of a ready-made solution. This means that some of the purchased apps may go unused, resulting in businesses paying more than necessary.
Extra Fees – the built-in support and management fees can be more difficult to uncover. Therefore, there is often additional costs for support once the package has been purchased. These support costs can add up to 50-70% more, compared to a private cloud.
Internal Admin – Many companies may still require additional support from their internal team which will also incur extra costs.

RECEIVE A FREE IT AUDIT WORTH £495*

We will provide a full audit or strategy review for your business’s data security and GDPR compliance. This includes all aspects from connectivity to databases to cloud strategy.

We will then follow up with a strategy implementation document.

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IT Audit and everything included in it.

What our assessment covers:
• An overview of your data lineage and existing IT infrastructure.
• Provide a plan to transfer and access your business data in the cloud.
• Review and revise your current security measures.
• Provide staff training
• Provide streamlining measures to your existing IT infrastructure and processes. Ensure both business and IT operations run in the most effective way possible.
• Carry out audits to ensure that the systems and services used are GDPR compliant.

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* Terms and Conditions Apply. E&OE. Free IT Audit worth £495 is available to new customers only. In order to qualify, businesses must have a minimum of 5 users and be based within Greater London. One IT Audit is available per business within a 12 months period from initial consultation.