Experience the Best of Both Worlds With Hybrid Cloud Computing

For some enterprises, the best data storage solution combines elements of both public and private clouds.

Dec. 20, 2023 | By Ramesh Vishwanathan

Private cloud solutions offer security, while public cloud is a more cost-effective data storage option. But what if your enterprise could enjoy the benefits of both computing architectures?

Hybrid cloud environments are one of the most common infrastructure setups today. This architecture provides businesses with flexibility and scalability for growth. Learn how you can take advantage of the hybrid cloud model to lead your organization into the future.

What Is a Hybrid Cloud Server?

A hybrid cloud environment combines public cloud and private cloud servers. These two separate computing environments are interconnected and work together. This allows data and applications to move between servers. A hybrid cloud architecture can include local data centers, cloud providers or software as a service (SaaS).

There is no one-size-fits-all hybrid data storage solution. Instead, the enterprise has to develop a hybrid cloud environment that works best for their needs. For example, a business could store more sensitive information on their private cloud server and less sensitive data on a public cloud. This unique solution offers flexibility, allowing the enterprise to more easily move workloads to cloud at their own pace and setting the organization up for future digital business transformation.

Hybrid Cloud Versus Multicloud

Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, hybrid cloud and multicloud solutions are not the same. A multicloud approach to data storage involves the use of public cloud services from different providers, none of which are interconnected. In contrast, a hybrid environment pairs both public and private data storage solutions that share information between them.

While a multicloud approach can be effective for some enterprises, using multiple public cloud providers can be challenging. However, if your business doesn’t want to rely on just one cloud provider, it may be beneficial to use several to enjoy the unique benefits of each service.

Advantages of a Hybrid Cloud Model

A hybrid cloud architecture allows your enterprise to protect more sensitive data by storing it on a private cloud. Less sensitive data can then be hosted and shared on a public cloud provider, making cloud storage more cost-effective overall. A hybrid cloud environment allows an enterprise to tailor their cloud storage to their specific business needs and optimize company resources.

Other hybrid cloud advantages include increased workload portability and a higher level of control over data availability. With the hybrid cloud model, you can even plan for business growth, combining the scalability of public cloud with the privacy of a private cloud server.

Challenges of a Hybrid Cloud Model

Of course, hybrid cloud computing isn’t the right fit for every organization. Using a single public cloud service requires far less management than combining private and public clouds. Your IT team will need the technical expertise and knowledge to implement and maintain a hybrid cloud environment, which can be complex. In addition, private and public cloud environments aren’t always compatible and can make transferring data challenging.

But for many businesses, the benefits of hybrid cloud computing as a data storage solution far outweigh the challenges. Take time to assess your organization’s capabilities, priorities and budget to determine if a hybrid cloud model is right for your enterprise.

Is Hybrid Cloud the Right Data Storage Solution for Your Business?

While a hybrid cloud environment has many benefits, it isn’t the right fit for every enterprise. Consider the goals of your organization , as well as the bandwidth of your IT department for implementing and maintaining this type of architecture.

Answer the following questions to determine if a hybrid cloud environment is right for your organization:

• What type of information do you want to store?
• Do the benefits of hybrid cloud align with your organization’s budget and priorities? 
• Do you have information that should be stored in an offline data center?

A hybrid cloud model often works well for industries with a strong focus on security and compliance, like finance and healthcare. This architecture allows an enterprise to create a more flexible environment that can meet their individual computing and storage needs.

Blend Public and Private Cloud Computing Solutions

A hybrid cloud computing environment can help enterprises reduce costs, minimize risk and support digital business transformation efforts. While there are challenges associated with implementing and maintaining this type of architecture, for many organizations, the benefits are far more significant. Hybrid cloud allows for flexibility and scalability, setting your enterprise up for future growth while meeting current privacy requirements. For businesses with the budget and capacity, a hybrid cloud environment can be the best of both worlds.