The recent pandemic accelerated the need for businesses to support a remote workforce and the need to have secure, cloud-based computing services. A recent survey by Nutanix of IT leaders indicates that 86% of businesses say hybrid cloud services are their preferred computing model. MSPs need to understand the needs and concerns of hybrid services, especially pertaining to business continuity and disaster recovery needs.
What is Hybrid Cloud
Hybrid cloud solutions provide enterprises with a combination of security and affordability. They can deploy a portion of their assets via public cloud networks and a portion through private, more secure connections. One advantage is the ability to move data between both private and public cloud environments.
Four Types of Cloud Services
Private Cloud
The private cloud is a computer network located on-premises or behind the company’s physical walls. The company purchases and maintains the hardware, wiring and software and controls these within its data center.
Public Cloud
Public cloud services are provided by large cloud-based providers like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure. Services are low-cost and affordable to even the smallest companies but often lack the one-on-one support and service of hybrid cloud solutions.
Hybrid Cloud
Hybrid cloud services combine private and public cloud services. Many organizations prefer to store sensitive data on private clouds, but allow other data to be shared on public cloud services. This combination provides the best combination of services, security, and convenience.
Multi-Cloud
This solution utilizes a mix of private, hybrid and public cloud services from many services. It provides variety but can be challenging to manage and secure.
Benefits of the Hybrid Cloud
Hybrid cloud solutions offer several benefits. The most obvious is the flexibility and agility to move data and resources between private and public clouds. Public clouds offer the ability to grow without acquiring more hardware. Private clouds can be configured and controlled by enterprises, and IT leaders often feel data is safer behind a physical firewall. While some cybersecurity experts might dispute that private clouds are safer, IT departments have more control over network configurations and data access. For companies handling confidential data like financial services and healthcare providers, hybrid cloud solutions provide more control over who accesses private information and can offer the extensive compliance reporting required by governing organizations.
Drawbacks of Hybrid Cloud Solutions
Hybrid clouds require an extra layer of hardware to control access to the private cloud and manage data flow between private and public cloud networks. These additional layers increase the cost of private clouds compared to public cloud offerings. Additionally, there is a lack of network visibility. Data management and handling is also a disadvantage of hybrid clouds since it requires more management and oversight.
Reliable Partner for Cloud Services
With hybrid cloud budgets increasing by 47%, MSPs need to jump on board with a partner that offers reliable and cost-effective hybrid cloud services. They need a vendor who takes support seriously and stands behind their partners and clients. Cloud Services for MSPs understands the service provider business and offers complete solutions for businesses in many industries. Call (866) 883-8836 or email info@cloudservicesformsps.com.