As businesses grow, strict compliance requirements, latency concerns, and legacy systems often make an all-in cloud approach impractical. A hybrid cloud strategy solves this by blending on-premises infrastructure with public and private cloud environments, offering flexibility, security, and optimised performance.

But what exactly is hybrid cloud, and how does it work? In this FAQ article, we answer the most commonly searched questions to help you understand hybrid cloud adoption and integration.

What is a hybrid cloud?

A hybrid cloud is an IT environment that combines private cloud infrastructure with public cloud services (like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud for other workloads), enabling data and applications to be shared between them. This approach provides greater flexibility, optimising workloads and allowing businesses to scale their infrastructure according to needs while maintaining control over sensitive data through private cloud components.

What is an example of a hybrid cloud?

A common example of a hybrid cloud is when an organisation uses both a public cloud (such as AWS or Google Cloud) and a private on-premises data centre to manage different workloads. Sensitive data might be stored in the private cloud for security and compliance, while less critical or fluctuating workloads are handled by the public cloud.

Why Hybrid Cloud is a Preferred Approach

• Data Security & Compliance: Hybrid clouds are ideal for industries that require strict data security and regulatory compliance (e.g., finance and healthcare). By keeping sensitive data on-premise, businesses can better control privacy and access.
• Flexibility: This approach offers the flexibility to scale workloads in the public cloud during peak demand while keeping mission-critical applications on a private cloud.
• Cost Efficiency: Organisations can optimise costs by running essential, predictable workloads on-premise, while tapping into the public cloud’s elasticity for variable workloads.

‍Why would a company use a hybrid cloud?

A company would use a hybrid cloud to combine the benefits of both private and public cloud environments. This allows businesses to keep sensitive data on-premise for better control and security, while leveraging the scalability and cost-effectiveness of public clouds like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud for less critical workloads. Hybrid cloud enables greater flexibility, compliance with regulations, and seamless workload migration, ensuring optimal performance and business continuity.

Who can use hybrid cloud?

Any organisation, regardless of size or industry, can use a hybrid cloud. It is particularly useful for businesses that need to maintain flexibility and control over their IT infrastructure while leveraging the scalability and cost-effectiveness of public clouds. Here are examples of who can benefit:

• Large Enterprises: Businesses with complex IT environments, sensitive data, or regulatory compliance needs (e.g., finance, healthcare, or government sectors) can use hybrid clouds to maintain control over critical workloads while utilising public cloud resources for less sensitive tasks.
• Startups & SMBs: Smaller businesses can leverage hybrid cloud to scale quickly, accessing the cost-effective resources of public clouds while maintaining control over certain applications and data on-premises.
• Organisations with Legacy Systems: Companies that have legacy systems but want to gradually transition to the cloud can use a hybrid approach, allowing them to keep on-premises systems running while integrating new cloud solutions over time.
• Businesses with Variable Workloads: Organisations that experience fluctuating demand can use the hybrid model to scale operations during peak times (using public cloud) while running stable, cost-effective operations on private infrastructure during quieter periods.
• E-commerce Platforms: E-commerce businesses can run their online storefronts on the public cloud for scalability while managing sensitive customer and transaction data on a private cloud or on-premises for security.

Is hybrid cloud cheaper?

The cost-effectiveness of a hybrid cloud depends on how it's implemented and the specific needs of the business. While hybrid cloud can be cheaper in some cases, particularly for businesses with specific security or compliance needs, it's not guaranteed to be cheaper overall. The cost savings come from optimising workloads, using public cloud for burst capacity, and maintaining sensitive operations in private cloud environments. Careful planning and management are crucial to ensuring that hybrid cloud delivers financial benefits. Here are the factors that influence whether a hybrid cloud is cheaper:

1. Cost Optimisation:
   
   • Public cloud for non-sensitive workloads: By using the public cloud for non-sensitive and less critical workloads, businesses can reduce infrastructure costs. Public cloud services generally operate on a pay-as-you-go model, meaning companies only pay for what they use.
   • Private cloud for sensitive workloads: For workloads that require more security or compliance (like personal data, financial records, etc.), companies can keep them on the private cloud, which may incur higher upfront costs but can be more cost-effective in the long run if managed properly.
2. Pay-as-You-Go vs. Fixed Costs:
   
   • With a hybrid model, companies don’t need to pay for underutilised resources, which is often a problem with dedicated on-premises infrastructure. For example, during periods of low demand, businesses can scale down their use of public cloud services, leading to cost savings.
   • Private cloud components may have higher fixed costs due to infrastructure maintenance, staffing, and other operational expenses. However, for large-scale operations, this might still be cheaper in the long term than continually scaling up a public cloud environment.
3. Operational Costs:
   
   • Managing both public and private clouds can increase operational complexity, potentially requiring more resources to ensure seamless integration between them. The hybrid cloud setup can lead to additional management and support costs, especially if not optimised properly.
   • Some businesses may need to invest in cloud management tools or professional services to handle the complexities of hybrid cloud infrastructure.
4. Long-Term Investment vs. Short-Term Savings:
   
   • For organisations that already have substantial investment in on-premises infrastructure, hybrid cloud can reduce the need for capital expenditure on upgrading or replacing hardware. Instead, they can use the public cloud as a scalable option for growth without worrying about long-term capital costs.
   • However, for organisations without existing infrastructure, building a hybrid model might not be cost-effective in the short term, as the need for both private and public cloud components could increase initial costs.
5. Disaster Recovery and Backup:
   
   • A hybrid cloud model can be more cost-effective for disaster recovery. Instead of maintaining a separate on-premises disaster recovery setup, companies can use the public cloud to quickly scale and recover in the event of a failure, which can be cheaper than maintaining a full backup infrastructure.

Is hybrid cloud more secure?

A hybrid cloud can be more secure if managed properly, particularly for organisations with specific security and compliance needs. The flexibility of having critical workloads in private clouds, while leveraging the scalability and advanced security of public clouds, can enhance an organisation's overall security posture. However, to truly benefit from these advantages, companies must have robust policies, proper configuration, and proactive management of both public and private cloud resources. Without these, the complexity introduced by hybrid environments can lead to security challenges.

What are the disadvantages of hybrid cloud?

The main disadvantages of hybrid cloud include complexity in managing multiple environments, security risks due to inconsistent policies across platforms, and potential issues with data portability and compliance. Businesses may also face higher costs if not carefully optimising cloud resources across public and private clouds. By leveraging tools from partners like Google, AWS, and Cloudflare, Deimos ensures that these challenges are mitigated with unified security, optimised cost management, and smooth integration across hybrid environments.

What is a hybrid service?

A hybrid service refers to a solution or offering that combines elements from both on-premises (or traditional infrastructure) and cloud-based environments, leveraging the benefits of both models. This approach aims to provide greater flexibility, scalability, and efficiency by integrating different technologies or platforms. Hybrid services allow organisations to optimise their resources, scale as needed, and meet specific requirements for security, compliance, or performance.

Here are some examples of hybrid services:‍

• Hybrid Cloud Service: A hybrid cloud is a combination of private and public clouds where data and applications are shared between them. It allows businesses to maintain sensitive workloads on a private cloud (on-premises or hosted), while utilising the public cloud for less critical workloads. This hybrid approach offers flexibility, enabling organisations to scale their infrastructure as needed while maintaining control over their most sensitive data.
• Hybrid IT Service: In hybrid IT, a company uses both on-premises infrastructure (such as physical servers or data centres) and cloud services (public, private, or hybrid clouds). This service model ensures that organisations can balance workloads between the two environments for better efficiency, control, and cost optimisation. For instance, an organisation may run core business applications on internal servers while using the cloud for non-core services like email, collaboration tools, or backup.
• Hybrid Networking Service: This type of service combines traditional on-premises networking infrastructure with cloud networking solutions. It allows businesses to extend their network to the cloud while maintaining on-premises infrastructure for specific needs. A Hybrid Cloud Network often involves using VPNs or direct connect services (e.g., AWS Direct Connect, Azure ExpressRoute) to create a secure, seamless connection between cloud services and on-premises resources.
• Hybrid SaaS (Software as a Service): Hybrid SaaS refers to solutions that integrate on-premises software with cloud-based components. This model enables organisations to run certain aspects of their operations on local systems while using cloud services for things like storage, analytics, or collaboration tools. For example, an enterprise might use cloud-based CRM tools like Salesforce, but keep customer data or certain functionalities in a private database on-premises for compliance or security reasons.

How to build a hybrid cloud?

Building a hybrid cloud involves integrating on-premises infrastructure with public cloud services to create a unified computing environment. Here are the key steps:

• Assess Your Infrastructure: Evaluate your existing IT infrastructure to determine which workloads should remain on-premises and which can be moved to the cloud. Tools like AWS Outposts, Google Anthos, and Azure Stack can help with integration.
• Choose Your Cloud Providers: Select public cloud providers like AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure, and ensure they offer the necessary services to support your hybrid needs.
• Implement Connectivity: Set up secure, high-performance connections between on-premise systems and the public cloud using services like AWS Direct Connect or Azure ExpressRoute for reliable data transfer.
• Ensure Security and Compliance: Adopt a unified security policy across both environments using solutions like Cloudflare and ZScaler to protect against threats and ensure compliance with industry standards.
• Use Hybrid Cloud Management Tools: Leverage tools like Kubernetes, Rancher, and HashiCorp Terraform to manage and orchestrate workloads across both on-premises and cloud environments.
• Monitor and Optimise: Continuously monitor your hybrid cloud environment using tools like Grafana and Elastic to track performance and optimize resources for cost savings and efficiency.

What are the different types of cloud?

The three main types of cloud are Public, Private and Hybrid:

• Public Cloud: Services and infrastructure are provided by third-party providers like AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure, and are shared across multiple organizations. It's cost-effective and scalable, ideal for businesses with variable workloads.
• Private Cloud: A dedicated cloud environment for a single organization, either hosted on-premises or by a third-party provider. It offers enhanced security and control, making it suitable for businesses with strict compliance requirements.
• Hybrid Cloud: A combination of both public and private clouds, allowing businesses to keep sensitive workloads in a private cloud while utilizing public clouds for scalability and flexibility. This approach enables workload portability between environments, optimized cost management, and enhanced security.

What is hybrid cloud storage?

Hybrid cloud storage systems typically use a storage gateway or data management software to integrate on-premises infrastructure with cloud storage providers like AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, or other cloud services. Data can be stored dynamically, with some data kept on-premises for performance or compliance reasons, while less frequently accessed data is offloaded to the cloud.

Key Components of Hybrid Cloud Storage

1. On-Premises Storage: Physical servers, NAS (Network-Attached Storage), SAN (Storage Area Network), or private cloud solutions.
   
2. Public Cloud Storage: Cloud-based storage services such as Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage, Microsoft Azure Blob Storage, etc.
   
3. Storage Gateway or Cloud Integration: Middleware that enables seamless movement of data between on-premises storage and the cloud.
   
4. Data Management Policies: Rules that define where data should be stored based on access frequency, security, compliance, or cost considerations.

What is an example of a hybrid cloud user?

An example of a hybrid cloud user could be a financial services company that stores sensitive customer data on a private cloud for security and compliance reasons, while using a public cloud for less critical workloads, such as customer-facing applications or analytics.

In this scenario, the company benefits from the flexibility and cost-efficiency of the public cloud for non-sensitive operations, while maintaining the control, privacy, and security needed for regulatory compliance with its private cloud. This hybrid approach allows the company to optimise its IT resources, ensuring business continuity and security without being locked into a single cloud provider.

Hybrid cloud users often leverage tools like Google Anthos, AWS Outposts, or Azure Arc to seamlessly integrate and manage their private and public cloud environments.

What is the difference between hybrid cloud and multi-cloud?

The difference between hybrid cloud and multi-cloud lies in how the cloud environments are used, managed, and integrated. Here's a breakdown of the two:

Hybrid Cloud

A hybrid cloud is a combination of private cloud and public cloud environments that work together to provide greater flexibility and optimisation of existing infrastructure. It allows organisations to keep sensitive data and critical applications on-premises (or on a private cloud) while using public clouds for less-sensitive tasks or for scaling purposes.

Private Cloud + Public Cloud: Hybrid cloud typically involves a private cloud (on-premises or hosted) combined with one or more public cloud services (like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud).

Integration: The private and public clouds are tightly integrated, often with specific connectivity (like VPNs or dedicated links) that allow workloads to be shifted between the two environments as needed.

Workload Flexibility: Businesses can choose where to run workloads based on factors like security, compliance, and performance needs.

Example: An organisation may run sensitive financial applications on its private cloud but use public cloud resources for analytics or backup services.

Multi-Cloud

A multi-cloud refers to using multiple cloud providers (such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, etc.) in a non-integrated manner. The goal is not necessarily to link or unify different clouds, but to avoid being dependent on any one provider and to optimise for cost, performance, or specific service offerings.

Multiple Public Clouds: Multi-cloud involves leveraging two or more public cloud providers for different services, without needing to connect or integrate them.

No Integration: Each cloud environment operates independently, and workloads are distributed across different cloud providers based on criteria like service offerings, location, or cost.

Avoiding Vendor Lock-In: The multi-cloud strategy allows businesses to avoid being tied to a single vendor (e.g., avoiding being completely dependent on AWS), giving them more flexibility and choice in terms of pricing and services.

Example: A company might use AWS for compute resources, Azure for data storage, and Google Cloud for machine learning and AI workloads.

What is the difference between hybrid cloud and community cloud?

The difference between hybrid cloud and community cloud lies in the way resources are shared, managed, and the types of users involved. Here’s a breakdown:

• Hybrid Cloud: A hybrid cloud is a combination of public and private cloud environments, allowing data and applications to be shared between them. It enables greater flexibility and optimisation of existing infrastructure. Here's how it works:
  
  • Private Cloud: Typically, sensitive or critical workloads are kept on a private cloud, which is either on-premise or hosted by a third-party provider, offering more control, security, and compliance.
  • Public Cloud: Less sensitive workloads or those requiring scalability can be hosted on a public cloud, leveraging resources from providers like AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure.
  • Integration: Hybrid clouds enable workloads to move between the private and public clouds, depending on factors like cost, performance, or compliance requirements.
  • Key Characteristics:
    
    • Flexibility: Ability to move workloads and data between public and private clouds based on business needs.
    • Security: Sensitive data is stored privately, while non-sensitive workloads benefit from the public cloud's scalability.
    • Cost Efficiency: Optimises costs by using public cloud resources when necessary and relying on private infrastructure for critical systems.
  • Use Case: Enterprises with specific compliance or security needs that still want the scalability and cost-effectiveness of public cloud computing.

• Community Cloud: A community cloud is a cloud infrastructure shared by several organisations with similar concerns, such as security, compliance, or industry regulations. Unlike hybrid clouds, which combine public and private elements, community clouds focus on shared resources for a specific group of users.
  
  • Shared Resources: Multiple organisations, typically from the same industry or sector, share the cloud infrastructure, which is often either managed internally or by a third-party provider.
  • Collaboration: These organisations have common concerns, such as regulatory compliance, and benefit from a shared environment designed to meet their collective needs.
  • Access Control: Access to resources in a community cloud is restricted to the organisations within the community.
  • Key Characteristics:
    
    • Collaboration: The infrastructure is tailored for use by a specific community (e.g., financial institutions, healthcare providers).
    • Security and Compliance: Focuses on providing compliance with specific regulatory or security needs for the community.
    • Shared Costs: The costs of maintaining the cloud infrastructure are shared by the organisations in the community, reducing overall expenditure.
  • Use Case: Suitable for organisations that need to collaborate on specific projects or need a shared infrastructure due to regulatory requirements but do not wish to rely on a public cloud.

Is AWS a hybrid cloud?

AWS itself is not a hybrid cloud, but it provides the tools and services needed to build a hybrid cloud environment. Through services like AWS Outposts, AWS Direct Connect, and AWS Storage Gateway, businesses can integrate their on-premise infrastructure with AWS’s public cloud to create a seamless hybrid cloud solution. This allows organisations to keep sensitive workloads on-premises while taking advantage of AWS’s scalability, cost efficiency, and flexibility for less critical workloads. Deimos partners with AWS to help companies implement and manage these hybrid solutions effectively.

‍Is AWS public or private cloud?

AWS (Amazon Web Services) is a public cloud service provider. It offers a wide range of cloud computing services, including compute power, storage, databases, machine learning, and more, which are made available to the public over the internet. AWS allows users to access and scale these services on-demand, providing flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. In contrast to private clouds, which are dedicated to a single organisation, public clouds like AWS are shared by multiple customers and managed by the service provider.

Is Gmail an example of hybrid cloud?

No, Gmail is not an example of a hybrid cloud. It is a public cloud service, hosted entirely by Google on their infrastructure.

In a public cloud model, like Gmail, all resources (servers, storage, etc.) are managed and maintained by the cloud provider (in this case, Google), and users access these services over the internet. The data and applications are shared among many users but are securely separated.

In contrast, a hybrid cloud combines both private cloud infrastructure (managed by the user) and public cloud services, allowing data and applications to move between the two environments. Gmail, being entirely hosted in the public cloud, does not involve a hybrid cloud model.

Is Microsoft a hybrid cloud?

Microsoft itself is not a hybrid cloud, but it offers hybrid cloud solutions through Azure, its cloud computing platform.

Azure provides services that enable businesses to run workloads across both on-premises and cloud environments, making it possible to implement a hybrid cloud strategy. With Azure, organisations can seamlessly integrate their existing on-premises infrastructure with Microsoft’s public cloud, allowing them to choose where to run specific workloads based on cost, performance, and compliance requirements.

Microsoft’s Azure Arc and Azure Stack are key tools that support hybrid cloud deployments, helping businesses manage and scale their infrastructure across on-premises, multi-cloud, and edge environments.

Through these solutions, Microsoft enables organisations to take advantage of the flexibility and scalability of the cloud while maintaining control over sensitive data and legacy systems.

What are examples of private cloud?

Private cloud is a cloud environment dedicated to a single organisation, offering enhanced security, control, and customisation over infrastructure. Examples of private cloud solutions include on-premises infrastructure managed by the organisation itself or hosted private cloud services provided by third-party vendors.

Common Examples of Private Cloud

• On-Premises Private Cloud: Companies build and maintain their own data centres, using technologies like VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, or OpenStack to create a private cloud environment. This approach provides full control over hardware, security, and resource allocation.
• Hosted Private Cloud: A third-party provider hosts a private cloud for a company in a dedicated environment, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) Outposts, Microsoft Azure Stack, or Google Cloud Anthos. This allows businesses to enjoy cloud-like benefits without sharing resources with other tenants.
• Virtual Private Cloud (VPC): A dedicated section of a public cloud provider’s infrastructure, such as AWS VPC, where businesses can isolate their resources and control networking, IP address range, and security policies. It combines some benefits of private cloud with the scalability of public cloud.
• Managed Private Cloud: Providers like IBM Cloud Private and Oracle Cloud offer fully managed private cloud services where businesses maintain control, but management and support are handled by the cloud provider.

What is an example of a public cloud?

An example of a public cloud is Amazon Web Services (AWS). AWS is a cloud computing platform that provides a wide range of services such as computing power, storage, and networking, all hosted in the cloud and accessible via the internet. Public clouds like AWS are managed by third-party providers and are available to the general public, offering scalable resources on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Other notable examples include Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and IBM Cloud. These platforms offer a variety of cloud services to businesses of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises, while being hosted on infrastructure owned and managed by the respective providers.

What is poly cloud vs hybrid cloud?

Poly Cloud and Hybrid Cloud are both cloud strategies, but they differ in scope and design. In essence, Hybrid Cloud is focused on blending private and public clouds, while Poly Cloud is about leveraging multiple public clouds for their specialised services.

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Deimos is your trusted partner for hybrid and multi-cloud solutions, helping businesses navigate the complexities of modern cloud environments. As a leading cloud partner, we work with all major providers, including Google Cloud, AWS, Azure, and Huawei, ensuring you get the best fit for your infrastructure needs. Beyond cloud services, we collaborate with top technology partners like Datadog, Zoho, JumpCloud, and Cloudflare to enhance security, monitoring, and operational efficiency. Whether you're using a single cloud, multi-cloud or hybrid cloud approach, Deimos provides the expertise to drive your success. Click here to learn more.

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