A community cloud is a collaborative cloud computing environment shared by several organizations within a specific community. These organizations often share common interests, concerns, or regulatory requirements, such as security protocols or compliance standards. This shared infrastructure might be managed internally by one of the participating organizations, by a third-party provider, or a combination of both. The hosting location can also be internal or external to the participating organizations.
Key Characteristics of a Community Cloud:
- Shared Infrastructure: Multiple organizations share computing resources (servers, storage, networking).
- Common Interests: Members share similar needs, regulations, or industry sectors.
- Enhanced Security: Often offers higher security compared to public clouds due to restricted access.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Can lower costs for each organization compared to individual cloud deployments.
- Improved Compliance: Helps meet specific industry compliance requirements.
Examples of Community Clouds:
- A consortium of hospitals sharing a cloud for storing and analyzing patient data, complying with HIPAA regulations.
- A group of universities collaborating on research using a shared cloud platform.
- A set of financial institutions using a community cloud to securely exchange financial information.
Community Cloud vs. Other Cloud Models:
Unlike a public cloud (like AWS or Azure), accessible by anyone, and a private cloud, dedicated to a single organization, the community cloud offers a middle ground. It's more secure than a public cloud but potentially less expensive than multiple private clouds.
Costs and Considerations:
While community clouds can offer cost savings, they also come with potential higher costs than a public cloud due to the specialized infrastructure and security measures needed. Each member typically has allocated resources and storage quotas. The specific cost structure depends on the management model and agreement between the participating organizations.
