Public cloud services typically include Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS), allowing organizations to access virtual machines, development platforms, and software applications without the need to own or manage physical hardware.
Key characteristics of public clouds include:
- Shared Infrastructure: Resources are shared among multiple cloud users, with logical separation ensuring data privacy.
- On-Demand Scalability: Users can quickly scale resources up or down based on demand.
- Pay-as-You-Go Pricing: Customers pay only for the resources and services they consume.
- Managed by Third Party Providers: Public cloud providers handle infrastructure security, maintenance, and updates.
- Accessibility: Services and data are accessible from anywhere with internet connectivity.
Public cloud security operates under a shared responsibility model, where the cloud provider secures the underlying infrastructure, and cloud users are responsible for securing their data, applications, and configurations within the cloud environment.
Examples of major public cloud providers include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
Understanding public cloud concepts is essential for organizations leveraging cloud computing to optimize IT resources, reduce costs, and enhance operational agility while maintaining data confidentiality and compliance.
