In this era of technological prowess, businesses are gradually opting for cloud migration. If we talk about private and public cloud systems, the basic point of difference is accessibility and resources. The public cloud can be accessed by anyone (open for all), while the private cloud is only accessible to a specific group of users who subscribe to the services. This leads to the most asked question – can a private cloud offer better security than a public one? The answer is not a clear-cut yes or no.
Security Benefits Of Private Cloud
The private cloud computing platform is only accessible to selected subscribers. The computing system has the same software and hardware resources as the public one but is restricted to only a group of users.
Even if the private cloud has security risks, it offers many benefits. One of the significant advantages is the obscurity that the system provides. In addition, as the private cloud is dedicated and managed by a single organization, fewer users have access to the system, the security increases significantly.
Another interesting benefit is the customization aspect. You can integrate security features as per your business needs. For example, experts can easily modify compliance and security regulations and data retention features. Now, you can tailor-fit the security aspect of the cloud system for your business.
Moreover, with a private cloud system, you don’t have to worry about a lack of resources when traffic is on the system. It means that you will get the security and resources you pay for. Besides, your system is risk-free from the mistakes of other users. Therefore, your company is safe from potential breaches to the data pathways. Also, there is no risk of data loss or interruption within business hours due to the central cloud server problems.
Private cloud issues can be resolved faster with the help of professional security experts. That way, you can run the business without any interruption.
Other private cloud advantages include more flexibility and better control of implementing and using security tools with experts’ help. Moreover, you can gain absolute control over your company’s cybersecurity and customize it accordingly.
However, there are some drawbacks too. For example, businesses will need to spend considerable money operating and maintaining private clouds. In addition, it leads to an increase in management responsibilities, which causes the need to hire an expert team.
Security Benefits Of Public Cloud
People often think that since private cloud systems are used by a selected few, it is safer. That is not the case. The public cloud offers more security benefits and features than the private one. That is mainly because the platform receives a high revenue from the extensive list of clients and has dedicated experts to manage the infrastructure. Now, the companies can gain the advantages of the resources while paying only a fraction of it. Businesses can attain upgraded security without allocating a huge budget for cloud computing.
Moreover, the high rate of a cyberattack on the public cloud keeps them awake and active. Indeed, the public cloud platforms are always the point of targets for malicious cybercriminals. Therefore, to keep the businesses safe, the system keeps on working on strengthening its security. For instance, cybercriminals continuously target Microsoft Azure but succeed rarely.
Public cloud providers hire the best security experts in the field. Moreover, professionals are more interested in working at Microsoft or Amazon due to their personal notoriety. As a result, businesses get the services of an elite team of cloud security professionals. As a result, companies don’t have to spend a massive amount creating an in-house cloud security team.
However, like the private cloud system, the public clouds have some disadvantages too. The first one is the lack of personalization. Public clouds have numerous customers, and thus you might have to wait in a long queue to speak to their representatives and get your problem solved. This could lead to setbacks in your business.
Moreover, in the public system, the problems of other users can quickly become yours too. Businesses using public clouds often get a generalized message stating that the provider is working to restore the service as soon as possible. There is no information on the timeline or the nature of the problem. Companies have no choice but to wait till the issue is resolved.
Conclusion
Despite several statements and verdicts, the question – is a private cloud more than secure than a public remains unanswered. That is because the answer depends on a wide array of factors. For instance, you need to consider the features you want, the strength of your business, and the budget you can allocate. If you have small companies or startups, the public cloud is the better option. However, opting for a dedicated private cloud server makes sense if you have an expanding business.
Also Read: What is security automation? And Why is it important?
