What Is Hybrid Cloud Architecture and How Can We Use It?

TL;DR

Hybrid cloud architecture blends public and private cloud environments, giving organizations the flexibility to store sensitive data securely while offloading variable workloads to third-party infrastructure. Three main hybrid models — tiered, edge, and cloud bursting — each serve different operational needs. While hybrid clouds offer safety, flexibility, and reduced maintenance burden, they also introduce complexity and vendor dependency. Choosing the right architecture requires a clear-eyed assessment of your costs, compliance requirements, and performance expectations.

What is cloud computing in simple terms?

Hybrid cloud solutions combine public and private environments to support applications. All computer systems store and distribute data. Years ago, all components of that system sat within a room or two, often within the company's headquarters. Now, some of those servers may sit off site. When they do, they're considered part of a cloud. 

The cloud term itself is a bit of a joke, as people started using it to describe how little location matters. Where are our servers? They're located somewhere out there within a cloud of stuff.

Consumers often believe that their information is physically located in the clouds above their heads. In reality, their data is likely housed in a physical server in a room somewhere. But since it's not within company headquarters, it's considered part of the cloud. 

Three main types of cloud computing exist.

• Infrastructure as a service (IaaS): Computers, networking features, and storage exist within the cloud. This form of cloud computing is very flexible, as it can expand or contract based on need.
• Platform as a service (PaaS): Applications operate within the cloud, but the underlying infrastructure remains well within your control.
• Software as a service (SaaS): An entire product, including the software and infrastructure, operates within the cloud. 

Costs vary by cloud-computing type, but determining the final price tag isn't always easy. To develop a clear picture of costs, you must understand your:

• Current costs. How much do you spend on hardware, labor, maintenance, connection, and other similar items?
• Potential solution costs. Every cloud provider has a slightly different fee structure. Most set pricing by determining server type, number of machines required, storage type, and memory requirements.
• Migration challenges. Moving your operations to the cloud requires transfer fees and manpower. You'll also need to test repeatedly to ensure everything works properly.

Your potential cloud partner should provide you with a complete summary of your costs based on your setup and needs. Be sure to ask about costs associated with adding storage, updating software, and replacing components. You may avoid hidden fees with a firm contract that includes these items.

How do public, private, and hybrid clouds compare?

You've settled on a cloud provider, and you have a beginner's understanding of fees. What type of cloud do you need?

Three main types of clouds exist.

• Public: These clouds are open and accessible to anyone who passes authentication checks. You'll use strict rules to keep snoops away, of course. But a public cloud is built with accessibility in mind.
• Private: These clouds are made for sensitive, internal use only. Your core employees can access the server, but end users or contractors may not. And no one who doesn't know you can get in. If your regulatory environment demands strict shielding of sensitive data (those that work in health care or financial sectors often have this issue), a private cloud might be a requirement.
• Hybrid: A hybrid cloud blends both public and private clouds. Some functions happen on private clouds, while others function in public counterparts. Administrators choose the ideal cloud for each application, and they can move workloads between the two settings as needed.

The table below compares and contrasts these three cloud types.

Why is hybrid cloud computing popular?

Analysts expect an annual growth rate of 24.1 percent within the cloud market sector between 2020 and 2025. Much of that growth should come from the hybrid cloud sector. For many companies, it's an ideal choice.

Choose hybrid cloud architecture, and your system has two main components.

• Private: Your servers hold sensitive data that you need to protect. And your processors can handle some user load throughout a typical workday. But sometimes, your servers get overloaded, and you need added capacity.
• Public: Some data, functions, and processes operate on a cloud run by a third party. That organization handles maintenance and crises, so downtime issues aren't your responsibility. If you need added capacity for private servers, you can push some things onto the cloud temporarily.

Analysts are fussy about the hybrid term, and some say only one enterprise in 10 has a true hybrid setup. The rest, they say, are just managing a multi-cloud environment. But if you have two distinct and independent systems, you're working within a true hybrid cloud. That's different from hybrid IT, by the way, which is used to describe hybrids of cloud and on-prem apps.

How do you choose the right hybrid cloud vendor?

Choosing the right vendor is critical, as about 19 percent of people who jump from public clouds back to private do so due to performance issues. But know that a hybrid structure should give you the power and flexibility you need to deliver reliable services around the clock. 

What are the main hybrid cloud architecture types?

All hybrid clouds should tackle the same basic tasks. But the way you configure them can either maximize efficiency or lead to headaches down the line.

When finished, your hybrid cloud should:

• Connect. Multiple computers join together.
• Scale. Add new resources and eliminate old ones quickly and easily.
• Respond. Move workloads from one environment to another based on need.

Hybrid clouds, public clouds, and private clouds share the same basic cloud architecture system, which includes:

• Connection. Multiple computers link through the use of a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), or virtual private network (VPN).
• Segmentations. Containers ensure clean processing power and make quick changes possible.
• Automation. Software allocates resources based on demand.

How do middleware and container-based models differ?

In the past, you'd build a hybrid cloud with the help of middleware. That key piece of software would move resources between your environments via some type of preconfigured virtual private network. Some companies with simple cloud needs continue to choose this model.

But you can also build and deploy apps in containers on your cloud of choice. The app will never move from one cloud to another, but it might draw on resources that exist within the other app. You'll use the same platform and operating system in all clouds, so connections remain tight. But the apps are separate entities on separate clouds.

Plenty of hybrid architecture models exist, as summarized in the table below.

No matter what method you choose, know that you have no implicit control over how the public cloud is built. It's not under your direct control, and you can't tinker with it. Ensure that all of your hardware and software is compatible with your cloud vendor, so you don't waste a moment on conflicts. 

When should you consider a hybrid cloud model?

On the surface, a hybrid cloud comes with benefits almost any company wants. But drawbacks exist, and sometimes, companies benefit from sticking with the systems they know and trust.

How do you decide if hybrid cloud is right for your organization?

No type of cloud computing is right for every company and every use case. You must determine if your company could truly benefit from a hybrid model before you start building. And when you do, you must ensure that you're getting all the value you can for your company and your consumers.

If you're considering a hybrid cloud model, we'd love to talk with you. Contact us to find out more about our cloud computing options, and find out how Okta always keeps your information safe and secure.

Frequently asked questions

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

A hybrid cloud is defined by the tight integration of two distinct, independent systems — a private cloud and a public cloud — working in concert. A multi-cloud environment, by contrast, simply means using multiple cloud services without that deep integration. Analysts estimate that only about one in ten enterprises operates a true hybrid setup; the majority are managing separate cloud services rather than a unified hybrid architecture.

What are the three main types of hybrid cloud architecture models?

The three main hybrid cloud architecture models are tiered hybrid, edge hybrid, and cloud bursting. In a tiered model, applications run in the public cloud while core computing stays private. An edge hybrid keeps latency-sensitive workloads local and offloads noncritical tasks to the cloud. Cloud bursting keeps applications in the private environment by default, scaling out to the public cloud only when demand spikes.

What are the main benefits and drawbacks of hybrid cloud computing?

Hybrid cloud computing offers three primary advantages: it keeps sensitive data protected in a private cloud, it eliminates the need to over-provision hardware by leveraging the public cloud during demand surges, and it shifts maintenance responsibilities to the cloud provider. The key challenges are integration complexity — both environments must work together seamlessly — and reliance on a vendor whose outages can directly affect your users.

How do public, private, and hybrid clouds differ in terms of security and flexibility?

Public clouds offer a low security level and moderate flexibility. Private clouds offer a high security level but low flexibility. Hybrid clouds strike a balance, offering a moderate security level combined with high flexibility — making them a popular choice for organizations that need both data protection and scalability.

What costs should you consider before migrating to a hybrid cloud?

Before migrating to a hybrid cloud, you should evaluate your current costs (hardware, labor, maintenance, and connectivity), potential solution costs (server type, number of machines, storage type, and memory requirements as priced by your cloud provider), and migration challenges (transfer fees, manpower, and repeated testing to ensure everything works properly).

What compliance scenarios make a private cloud preferable to a hybrid cloud?

When regulatory requirements mandate strict isolation of sensitive data — as is common in the health care and financial sectors — a fully private cloud may be a necessity rather than a choice. In these scenarios, the compliance obligations around data shielding can make a hybrid model insufficient, and a dedicated private cloud becomes the more appropriate architecture.

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