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A hybrid cloud is a computing framework where private cloud, on-premises infrastructure, and public cloud blend to serve as a single computing ecosystem. It’s architecture that integrates some level of workload portability, storage, network orchestration, and management across two or more cloud computing environments.
Given the rise in computing needs and the benefits a hybrid cloud strategy offers businesses, the hybrid cloud market has been on a boom and is projected to reach $262.4 billion by 2027.
SEE: Cloud Data Storage Policy (TechRepublic Premium)
How does hybrid cloud work?
Depending on the organization and how they choose to deploy, a hybrid cloud could work as a combination of on-premises infrastructure with a public cloud or as a blend of private cloud and public cloud. Whichever way it’s set up, it creates a unified and flexible computing environment.
For example, with a public and private cloud setup, organizations can run applications and store data in the public cloud to benefit from its scalability and cost-effectiveness, while keeping sensitive or critical data and applications in their private cloud for enhanced security and compliance.
To facilitate data integration and portability between the two environments, organizations could use cloud management platforms. This integration allows organizations to monitor what happens in their hybrid environment, optimize resource utilization, easily scale during peak demand, and ensure data redundancy and disaster recovery for business continuity.
SEE: Cloud Storage Management Checklist (TechRepublic Premium)
Hybrid cloud examples
A hybrid cloud strategy is used across many enterprises, especially in highly regulated industries where there are strict data privacy laws that define how data is stored and processed.
A typical example is the financial services sector, which has strict regulatory requirements due to the high rate of potential risks. Many organizations in this sector can deploy a private cloud to manage sensitive financial transactions and client data, while utilizing the public cloud for less sensitive tasks like marketing campaigns or web hosting.
The same strategy is possible in the healthcare industry. In this case, patient records and confidential information are stored in a private cloud, while nonsensitive applications such as appointment scheduling or patient education materials can be hosted in a public cloud for easy accessibility and cost efficiency.
SEE: IT Leader’s Guide to Software as a Service (TechRepublic Premium)
Key features of hybrid cloud
Below are some features of a hybrid cloud environment:
- Dynamic workloads: Businesses can easily utilize both the public cloud for dynamic workloads and the private cloud for more sensitive or volatile workloads.
- Big data processing: A hybrid cloud is configured to handle fluctuating volumes of big data analytics on the public cloud, while ensuring the protection of sensitive data through the use of the private version.
- Make change at your own pace: The architecture makes it easy to test where specific workloads work best, allowing you to see what works for your enterprise.
- Backups and disaster recovery flexibility: A hybrid cloud offers flexible backup and disaster recovery options for data based on volume and sensitivity, making it easier for organizations to choose between public, private, or on-premises solutions.
SEE: Hiring Kit: Cloud Engineer (TechRepublic Premium)
Benefits of hybrid cloud
Scalability
Under private cloud infrastructure, businesses face many obstacles when trying to scale their workloads. For instance, if a need for expansion arises, enterprises will need to commit a lot of finance to make that work. They may need to purchase more physical machines, which must be installed and maintained at extra cost.
However, this bottleneck is removed with a hybrid cloud, as businesses can easily rely on the public cloud to add more computational power to their IT system. In other words, a hybrid cloud removes the need to purchase extra servers for on-premises infrastructure, as businesses can easily utilize the resources provided by a public cloud service.
Control
Every business owner wishes to be in total control of their entire infrastructure, and the hybrid cloud offers a great deal of that. Through a hybrid cloud environment, businesses can avoid leaving all of their IT infrastructure in the hands of a third-party cloud provider. In addition, a hybrid option will make it possible for businesses to determine how to customize the private side of their cloud infrastructure when adjustments need to be made.
Speed
Latency can easily be reduced by optimizing infrastructure with edge computing. Since businesses have the advantage of controlling their own network infrastructure, they can easily simplify how data is transferred and processed within the computing ecosystem.
This isn’t to say that the hybrid cloud is faster than a public cloud environment. However, the point is that a hybrid one offers the flexibility that makes it possible to customize operations in the most efficient way possible.
Безопасность
Businesses can better control the security measures they can apply to their IT system while benefiting from the bigger computing power a public cloud offers. In addition, with the public cloud being a major target for hackers, organizations can save their enterprise by adapting quality security practices they deem necessary to their private cloud without losing the gains of the public cloud.
One way this can be achieved is through encryption. Since data still gets moved from the private to the public cloud, enterprises using the hybrid environment can transfer their data using encryption to ensure it is protected even in transit.
Cost
A hybrid cloud makes it easier for organizations to lower their long-term expenses, especially when they wish to scale up. Scaling up is less expensive because there’s less worry about the cost of abandoning physical resources for a transition to the cloud.
In addition, since the hybrid version is a mix of on-premises, private cloud, and/or public cloud, businesses can expand the public cloud subscription during scale-up rather than working on a physical data center expansion.
SEE: IT Leader’s Guide to the Public Cloud (TechRepublic Premium)
Drawbacks to hybrid cloud
Architectural design complexity
Designing a hybrid cloud ecosystem to ensure seamless synchronization between private and public cloud isn’t an easy feat. Businesses will need the services of professional cloud engineers or architects to ensure they don’t run into computing problems in the long run.
The cloud architect must understand the setup of a business’s private cloud and the entire workings of its intended public cloud provider to come up with a quality hybrid cloud configuration.
Security complexity
A business can be exposed to some security complications that, if not properly handled, could lead to serious issues. Some complexities are with providing secure access across the two platforms, processing user authentication across the private and public cloud, and detecting hidden vulnerabilities.
Lack of clarity
The ecosystem makes it hard to maintain clear visibility into cloud resources. When there’s a lack of clarity, it becomes difficult to monitor costs and meet regulatory compliance.
SEE: Quick Glossary: Cloud Platform Services (TechRepublic Premium)
Explore more about the cloud
With cloud a subject of great interest and discussion, there are plenty of other themes to explore in this field. Have a look at these TechRepublic Premium articles if you want to expand your knowledge.
This article was originally published in October 2022. An update was made by the current author in August 2023. The latest update was by Antony Peyton in June 2025.
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