What are the types of cloud computing?

Due to the pandemic accelerating the shift to digital operations, the adoption rate of cloud services has rocketed over the past couple of years. In fact, cloud computing budgets are set to account for 51% of IT spending by 2025.

Also, with Gartner estimating that by 2025 “over 95% of new digital workloads will be deployed on cloud-native platforms, up from 30% in 2021,” it’s never been more important for organisations to embrace cloud technology as part of their digital transformation strategies.

Yet while cloud migration is known to offer increased security, scalability, flexibility, and value, with various platforms available for tech teams to choose from, how do you know which is the right one for your organisation?

Has cloud technology caused the end of the Virtual Private Network?

For instance, modern, private sector organisations have found a full migration to cloud has brought significant value in the ability to integrate cloud-native services to solve a wide range of business problems. However, many more traditional private sector and particularly public sector organisations find there are significant elements of legacy technology that do not lend themselves easily to migration.

In this case a ‘hybrid cloud’ solution might prove a sensible route. Perhaps leveraging a low-code solution to enable hyperautomation – the knitting together of multiple processes through automation – to bring new access to both legacy systems and cloud infrastructure, thereby creating new levels of efficiency and integration.

As there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, all the options need to be considered…

What are some of the different types of cloud computing?

• Public cloud – Hosted by a third-party provider, public cloud swaps traditional, on-premise IT architecture for virtual, scalable alternative that’s delivered over the internet to multiple customers. AWS and Microsoft Azure are among some of the larger cloud providers in this category, which includes Software-as-a-Service, Platform-as-a-Service, and Infrastructure-as-a-Service.
  
  While migrating to the public cloud is known for its reduced server management, tighter security measures, and cost savings – allowing companies to reduce IT operations and on-premise infrastructure costs – it’s important to keep an eye out for contractual ‘lock-ins’. It’s equally crucial to compliance concerns – for instance, if your organisation needs to comply with stringent regulatory standards.
  
  

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• Private cloud – This type of cloud isn’t shared with other customers and instead is exclusively utilised by one organisation. It can either be an internally hosted service or managed by a third party off-premise – either way eliminating the cross-company multitenancy of public cloud.
  
  While it may cost more to deploy this kind of technology, it also offers greater self-service regarding scalability and IT management.
  
  
• Hybrid cloud – Hybrid cloud can be compared to a hybrid car, combining two distinct technologies effectively to create a solution that’s efficient, powerful, and offers greater functionality.
  
  Due to the fact that this option comprises public and private cloud services – and sometimes may also include on-premise legacy infrastructure – the connection between all of the separate entities therefore needs to be seamless. It’s also suited to a business that wants to manage sensitive data in house.
  
  Yet while this type of cloud allows for enhanced flexibility and a wider variety of technology, the more complex the infrastructure, the more complex the integrations and security becomes – along with a greater risk of hackers sourcing and exploiting a vulnerability.

But there are other options for tech leaders to consider too – Software-as-a-Service, Platform-as-a-Service, Infrastructure-as-a-Service, Function-as-a-Service, and multi cloud – all of which we cover in our guide.

What is cloud computing? Everything you need to know

Ultimately, each cloud option has its own benefits and drawbacks for organisations of differing sizes, and there are various elements for IT leaders to consider – from cost, security, and scalability to resilience, disaster recovery, stability, and value.

But when implemented correctly, the right cloud solution has the potential to reduce organisations’ financial outlay by around 40%. Therefore, it’s vital you do your homework and speak to a technology-agnostic partner, who can help you discover what works for you.

CDS has extensive experience in helping both private and public sector organisations to drive strategic technical change forward . We have designed and managed scalable cloud hosting services on various platforms, such as Cloudflare,  Microsoft Azure for Social Work England and Single Online Home for police services.

So, if you’d like to get in touch with our team to find out more about how this can help you achieve cloud infrastructure success, please contact us.