6 Deployment models
6.4 Hybrid cloud

Hybrid Cloud or combined Cloud is a combination of different methods of resource pooling (for example, combining public and community clouds. Also, hybrid clouds can be seen as a composition of two or more clouds (private, community or public) that are bound together, offering the advantages of multiple deployment models, by standardized or proprietary technology that enables data and application portability. These entities can leverage third party cloud providers in either a full or partial manner; increasing the flexibility of computing. The idea of hybrid cloud is to combine several cloud models to create a customized solution based on the organization requirements

Hybrid cloud architecture requires both on-premise resources and off-site server based cloud infrastructure and can be implemented in a number of ways. For instance, it is possible for an entity to have its data and applications in cloud maintaining control over organizational network topology and polices, and at the same time keeping its existing physical infrastructure (although this infrastructure does not scale) and borrow additional resources when required.

Hybrid clouds allow a company to keep each aspect of its business in the most efficient environment possible. Moreover, these models are easily scalable, cost efficient (it is possible to reduce the demand on a private cloud by moving non-sensitive data or applications to the public cloud), secure and flexibles.

The downside is that they have to keep track of multiple cloud security platforms and ensure that all aspects of the business can communicate with each other.

Hybrid cloud is a good option when: