What is a hybrid cloud (hybrid cloud)?

Hybrid cloud components

A hybrid cloud environment typically consists of:

• Private cloud: Cloud infrastructure dedicated to a single organization, managed by the organization itself or by a third-party provider, hosted in its own data center or in rented space. Provides a high level of control and security.
• Public cloud: Computing services (servers, data stores, networks, applications) offered by a third-party provider (e.g., AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform) and made available to multiple customers via the Internet in a self-service and pay-per-consumption model. It offers tremendous scalability and flexibility.
• Connectivity and orchestration: Technologies and tools that provide secure and efficient connectivity between private and public clouds (e.g., VPNs, dedicated network connections) and enable management and orchestration of resources and applications in both environments in an integrated manner.

Hybrid cloud usage scenarios

Companies opt for the hybrid model for a variety of reasons and implement it in different scenarios:

• Load shifting (Cloud Bursting): Using the public cloud to handle temporary load peaks when private cloud resources become insufficient. The application runs daily in the private cloud, but “moves” to the public cloud when needed.
• Separation of workloads: Placing different applications or parts of the same application in different clouds depending on their requirements. For example, sensitive data and critical applications can remain in the private cloud, while less critical applications, development/testing environments, or services that require high scalability (e.g., Big Data analytics) are run in the public cloud.
• Gradual migration to the cloud: Use the hybrid model as a transition stage when migrating applications and data from in-house infrastructure (on-premises) to the public cloud.
• Regulatory Compliance (Compliance): Some data or applications must remain in the private cloud due to legal or regulatory requirements regarding data localization or security.
• Disaster Recovery: Using the public cloud as a backup data center (DR site) for applications running in the private cloud.

Hybrid cloud benefits

• Flexibility and control: The ability to choose the best environment for any application or workload, combining the control of a private cloud with the flexibility of a public cloud.
• Scalability: Access to virtually unlimited public cloud resources as needed.
• Cost optimization: The ability to optimize expenses by placing workloads in the most cost-effective environment and paying for public cloud resources only when they are used.
• Security and compliance: The ability to maintain sensitive data and applications in a secure private cloud environment while meeting regulatory requirements.
• Innovation: Access to advanced services offered by public cloud providers (e.g., AI/ML, IoT, analytics) without having to build your own infrastructure.

The challenges of the hybrid cloud

Implementing and managing a hybrid cloud environment also comes with challenges:

• Management complexity: The need to manage two different environments and ensure consistency between them. This requires appropriate tools for orchestration and hybrid management.
• Network integration and connectivity: Provide secure, reliable and efficient network connectivity between private and public cloud.
• Security: The need for consistent security policies and access controls across the hybrid environment.
• Cost management: Monitoring and optimizing costs in a complex hybrid environment can be difficult.
• Competencies: Need to have both private and public cloud management skills on the team.

Multi-cloud vs Hybrid Cloud

It is important to distinguish between hybrid cloud and multi-cloud. Multi-cloud means using more than one public cloud provider (e.g. AWS and Azure). Hybrid cloud always involves a combination of a private cloud and at least one public cloud.

Summary

Hybrid cloud is a flexible approach to IT infrastructure that allows organizations to benefit from both private and public cloud. It offers the potential for cost optimization, scalability and innovation, while maintaining control and security for critical resources. However, successful implementation and management of a hybrid environment requires proper planning, tools and competence.