A hybrid cloud is an integrated cloud service utilising both private and public clouds to perform distinct functions within the same organisation. All cloud computing services should offer certain efficiencies to differing degrees but public cloud services are likely to be more cost efficient and scalable than private clouds. Therefore, an organisation can maximise their efficiencies by employing public cloud services for all non-sensitive operations, only relying on a private cloud where they require it and ensuring that all of their platforms are seamlessly integrated.
Hybrid cloud models can be implemented in a number of ways: Separate cloud providers team up to provide both private and public services as an integrated service Individual cloud providers offer a complete hybrid package Organisations who manage their private clouds themselves sign up to a public cloud service which they then integrate into their infrastructure
