Private Cloud Beta

A private cloud is a cloud infrastructure where resources are available only to a specific organization. Such a cloud is deployed on your own or leased infrastructure.

A private cloud architecture is the consolidation of computing resources in data centers into a single pool under the control of a specialized software suite. By virtualizing the hardware infrastructure (software-defined networks, virtual machines), the efficiency and reliability of the infrastructure is increased.

A private cloud can use the global network for its own needs and can have several data centers in different regions merged into a single system.

A managed private cloud is a cloud environment in which one company uses and owns the resources, while the management and maintenance of the infrastructure is outsourced to a third party. For example, your organization's IT infrastructure may be purchased and maintained by a third party in its data center.

A managed private cloud allows you to shift many of the cloud management responsibilities to a colocation partner who has greater expertise and efficiency in maintaining the IT infrastructure. The private cloud service partner can also provide additional services, such as backup and business continuity solutions.

The benefits of using a private cloud are:

• High security.

A private cloud's level of security is higher because the company that owns a private cloud can independently enforce the security policies it needs and organize its infrastructure to minimize or block traffic that leaves its infrastructure.

• Predictable performance

Proprietary hardware ensures that loads caused by third-party activities are not weighed down and are hard to predict.

• Reduced costs in the long run

Using a private cloud in the long run and with sufficient volume can be more profitable than using a public cloud due to the elimination of the profits that the public cloud provider puts in.

Projected costs

The cost of a public cloud can be unpredictable as it is shaped by the cloud provider and the market, while the cost of a private cloud is more predictable in the long run.

• Meet your own requirements

You can build your own cloud infrastructure to meet any requirements and make the necessary infrastructure changes without concern for other users. The geographic location of your own infrastructure is not limited, where public infrastructure may simply not be available in the region.

Private clouds are limited to specific physical machines, the security of which is easier to enforce than the security of a public cloud provider. Private clouds are usually protected by a firewall and are accessible over private secure network connections, not the public Internet. Control over a private cloud can be enforced according to your own security protocols, while in a public cloud you will have to agree to the provider's security protocols, which may not fully enforce security.

A private cloud is used when:

• There are special requirements for the hardware or configuration used

If a particular configuration of cloud infrastructure is required for a service and it is not possible to obtain it at a reasonable cost, then it is left to implement it yourself in a private cloud.

• Strict security requirements are imposed

Security or regulatory issues may require the use of a private cloud, e.g. in the case of storing and processing personal and sensitive data.

• Low network latency is required

Network latency can occur when the user is located at a distance from the provider's data center. By using a local private cloud, low network latency can be ensured wherever you are.

• High utilization of computing power is guaranteed for the long term

A private cloud is more profitable than hosting in a public cloud if the computing power is guaranteed to be loaded with a large volume of tasks for a long period of time.

A private cloud may have the following risks:

• The risk of data loss or theft

A private cloud requires managing a lot of data, analytics and keeping track of user activity. To ensure data security, you need to develop and apply comprehensive data protection measures, properly assign levels of access to information, train staff, and ensure reliable user identification and authorization. With insufficient attention to security issues, a private cloud loses any advantage over a public one.

• The risk of inefficient spending

Deploying a private cloud is expensive and may not pay off if the system is underutilized. Running a private cloud requires you to incur costs for purchasing hardware and software, hiring technicians and training them to manage the system, etc.

• The risk of not having a sufficiently flexible system

A private cloud may be of little use to teams that want to expand and change their infrastructure quickly. If the load increases, the private cloud infrastructure needs to be upgraded by installing new hardware, which will take a lot of time. And if there is no load, you will also incur staff and infrastructure costs.

• The risk of losing control of the system

Having a private cloud means that the company is responsible for the entire cloud management process, including: backups, troubleshooting, backups, error checking. This means that the company must have sufficient competence and resources to ensure uninterrupted operation, otherwise the system may cease to function.