Public Cloud

What is Public Cloud?

Public cloud is a cloud computing environment in which data is managed and maintained by third-party cloud service providers.

Public Cloud

A public cloud is nothing more than being able to access services and applications offered by providers to the general public. For instance, if you use Dropbox or Google Drive, you are using the public cloud. If you use Evernote, you are using the public cloud. If you use pretty much any general public-facing cloud based application or service, the same thing holds true – you’re using the public cloud.

How Does the Public Cloud Work?

The public cloud is really nothing more than the Internet. Accessing cloud-based storage solutions or using cloud apps that rely on the public cloud come with the same safety considerations that come with using the Internet as a whole, although there are a few more safeguards here, usually put into place by the app or service provider to help protect their users and/or customers.

In a sense, the public cloud is the standard model of cloud computing and cloud access. It applies to every single cloud-based app or service that does not involve a private cloud or a hybrid cloud. There are several public cloud computing platforms in use today, as well. One of the most popular is Amazon EC2. However, Microsoft Azure is also very popular. Both deliver quite a few benefits, including lower costs for developers and app or service users, the ability to pay as you go, shared hardware, and no need to sign lengthy, costly contracts.

What Is the Difference between the Public Cloud and a Private Cloud?

If the public cloud is the standard model, then a private cloud would be a proprietary model. In a private cloud, access to the cloud and all of its resources and capabilities is limited. Generally, you only see private clouds in use within large organizations, because they are very expensive. However, they do deliver important advantages that enterprise-level businesses find important. These benefits include significantly better security, due to the closed nature of the private cloud. Since the cloud is open only to those within the business or organization, or those who have been granted access, security is much higher than with the public cloud.

Another important benefit of the private cloud comes from regulatory compliance. Organizations that must comply with PCI or HIPAA regulations need the increased security available through a private cloud or a virtual private cloud. Private clouds can also be customized to the specific needs and requirements of individual businesses or organizations, whereas the public cloud is not customizable.

However, private clouds are not available in a pay as you go format, and there is no shared hardware in the private cloud. All hardware must be paid for outright by the company or organization in question.

In the end, the public cloud is an excellent option for most businesses, as well as for any consumer-facing web application or cloud application. It’s affordable, scalable and requires no lengthy contracts. However, it is not the right option for all organizations, particularly those who need increased security, or the control required to meet regulatory requirements.