Cloud computing continues to grow, with everyone from small businesses to large enterprises interested in taking advantage of the cloud’s many benefits. As organizations explore their cloud options, one of the first choices they’ll be faced with is whether to go with a public cloud provider or to investigate a private cloud solution. Deciding which option to pursue depends on a number of factors; specifically performance requirements, security concerns, compliance issues, and network scaling needs. Consult the chart below to determine which cloud environment may be best for your specific situation.

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PUBLIC OR PRIVATE?
HOW TO DECIDE WHICH TYPE OF CLOUD IS RIGHT FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Cloud computing continues to grow, with everyone from small businesses to large enterprises interested
in taking advantage of the cloud’s many benefits. As organizations explore their cloud options, one of the
first choices they’ll be faced with is whether to go with a public cloud provider or to investigate a private
cloud solution. Deciding which option to pursue depends on a number of factors; specifically performance
requirements, security concerns, compliance issues, and network scaling needs. Consult the chart below
to determine which cloud environment may be best for your specific situation.
Public Cloud Private Cloud
Performance • Offers best effort level of service,
typically with no service level
guarantees
• Appropriate for situations where
your front end system connects
with a back end system that lives
elsewhere (e.g. in a public cloud
or within your enterprise)
• May be appropriate for TestDev
situations, or situations that don’t
include sensitive data
• Typically accessed via the public
Internet
• Brings network performance and
SLAs to the cloud experience
• Typically accessed via VPN based
network connections
• Opens up more applications to cloud
migration (IaaS/PaaS/SaaS)
• May be appropriate for real-time
applications like VoIP, video and
virtual desktop environments
Security • Must be planned and
implemented throughout: in the
cloud instance, at the VM level,
etc.
• Must ask questions about and
understand what resources
are shared, what controls are
in place to keep your data
separate and what the vendor’s
capabilities are in terms of
meeting your compliance needs
• Access via the public Internet
may increase potential security
issues
• Brings your cloud resources “inside”
from the Internet, so data remains on
your network
• Insulates from DDoS attacks,
conflicts with other network traffic,
inappropriate network use, etc.
• Leverages existing functions like
secure remote access
• Must understand what’s shared and
what’s not, and what controls are in
place to keep your data separate
• Ask about your cloud provider’s
certifications (ITIL, SSA16, etc.)

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Public Cloud Private Cloud
Compliance • Can be achieved, but it takes
much more work
• Highly provider-dependent
• Keeping data in your network gives
you greater leverage of existing
compliance mechanisms in place
Network
Scaling
• Allows for the most efficient
connectivity For data-intensive
internal applications, will drive
access requirements, firewall/
security infrastructure demands
• Can simplify connectivity and reduce
access and resource demands.
Provides for internal control of
network resources
XO Communications is a leading nationwide provider of advanced IP communications, intelligent networking and cloud computing services for business,
large enterprise and wholesale customers. These customers include more than half of the Fortune 500, in addition to leading cable, mobile wireless and domestic
and international telecommunications companies. XO offers a superior customer experience through its innovative solutions, its employees’ focus on customers
and the proven performance of its advanced network. To learn more about XO Communications, visit www.xo.com or blog.xo.com. XO Communications is also
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This serves as a guide to selecting a vendor for a multi-cloud network solution, but is not intended as an endorsement of any given method, solution or device. XO
makes no representation of warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this document, and nothing con-
tained herein is, or shall be relied upon as, a promise, representation, or legal advice.
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