Hybrid cloud architecture: A practical framework for strategic design & operations
Hybrid cloud is often associated with large enterprises, but all businesses can benefit from its combination of scalability, flexibility, control, and security. An effective hybrid cloud approach goes beyond deciding where data and applications should live, and that’s where architecture comes in.
Many organisations use a mix of on-premises and cloud environments, often developed ad hoc to meet specific needs. Hybrid cloud architecture establishes a planned framework for connected, integrated systems, helping to manage the complexity of multiple IT environments.
Most models are designed to meet the needs of large enterprises. This article outlines an architecture developed for smaller organisations, helping them to manage what is often a complex environment.
Firstly, let’s look at why a hybrid cloud is a good choice for your business.
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When hybrid cloud makes sense for businesses
Many startups begin with a cloud-first approach, relying on modern SaaS applications and benefiting from cloud’s flexibility and scalability. More established organisations have often been built on premises.
With safe, effective integration and connectivity, organisations can use the strengths of both environments.
Hybrid isn’t the right model for all businesses, but certain factors make it a valuable approach to explore:
1. Core applications are not cloud-compatible
It may not be possible to migrate custom-built or legacy applications to the cloud, and SaaS versions may not even be available.
Those that are tightly integrated with other systems, such as older Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tools and those acting as systems of record, are challenging to migrate. In some cases, licensing terms make migration prohibitively expensive.
2. The business is in a regulated industry
Healthcare, financial services, or law firms may decide to keep sensitive data on-premises for data-handling regulations in specific industries.
3. The business has large, predictable workloads
Cloud storage and egress costs soon mount up for organisations storing and regularly accessing large amounts of unstructured data, such as diagrams and images.
Retaining this data on premises may be less expensive over time, and costs are more predictable.
4. Performance and ‘data gravity’
On-premises hosting can offer faster response times. This lower latency is a better choice for applications that rely on data pulled from several sources in near real time, for example, automated manufacturing processes or some pricing systems.
For large data sets, it makes sense to keep supporting tools and apps on the same network. This ‘data gravity’ reduces latency and increases reliability.
5. A transitional stage towards full-scale cloud migration
Hybrid cloud offers a phased migration that minimises risk as a business moves computing to public cloud.
For businesses considering a hybrid approach, growth and scalability are only part of the story. The type of data, how it is used, and compliance are key considerations too.
An effective hybrid cloud architecture for businesses
The hybrid environment is complex. However, many businesses already operate this model, but without the guardrails and connectivity that architecture brings. A strategic framework can make IT operations both more streamlined and secure.
For small and growing businesses, this means using a model without unnecessary layers of complexity. One that is straightforward to operate day-to-day without a large in-house IT team.
A deliberate hybrid architecture includes these 5 areas:
1. The environments where workloads are hosted
On-prem virtualisation
This creates an on-premises environment compatible with public cloud platforms, so the two can operate effectively together.
Several separate, isolated ecosystems are created on a single server using specialist software. These ‘virtual machines’ can then each run separate systems and applications, offering increased flexibility in an on-premises environment.
Private cloud and hosted infrastructure
Hosted infrastructure is often a dedicated server in a third-party data centre. With control over configuration, organisations can customise infrastructure to specific business and security needs.
Private cloud offers organisations the control of an on-premises server but many of the practical benefits of public cloud, such as high redundancy levels, offering backup and fail-safe systems.
Public cloud, e.g., Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Companies share physical data centre infrastructure with other organisations. This is fully maintained, patched, and managed by the provider, who also offers advanced security capabilities, including encryption and access management.
2. Connectivity and network security
This is just as important as deciding where data and apps are hosted.
Most hybrid architectures include a secure VPN over the internet to connect private and public environments.
As businesses scale, they often add a private connection, such as AWS Direct Connect, for faster, more reliable data transfer and dependable bandwidth. This has security and disaster recovery (DR) benefits, reducing the risk of outages interrupting automated patching, backups, or data synchronisation.
While hybrid environments broaden the potential attack surface, a private connection limits access points from the public internet, improving security whether data is at rest or in transit.
3. Identity and access management (IAM)
IAM makes systems more secure and life easier for users. It centralises user accounts, access controls, passwords, and permissions. This enables single sign-on for systems across all hybrid environments, both on-site and remotely.
4. Backup and disaster recovery
A robust backup policy helps organisations comply with UK GDPR, ensuring organisations can restore access to personal data if systems are compromised or fail.
There’s less risk of a single point of failure with multiple environments, improving resilience. If one environment is compromised, systems can be restored and temporarily operate from an alternative. Businesses can run automatic backups across all environments, helping to implement the NCSC’s recommended 3-2-1 backup system.
5. Monitoring and security stack
Private and public clouds each have distinct monitoring tools and security dashboards. A well-designed hybrid architecture unifies them. IT teams then have an end-to-end view of data and systems, so logs, access information, and alerts can be viewed through centralised dashboards or a ‘single pane of glass’.
Achieving a unified model is at the heart of an intentional hybrid cloud architecture. It’s not simply choosing individual components but designing how they work together to meet business needs.
Deciding where data and applications live in hybrid cloud infrastructure: real-world examples
Every organisation operates a unique mix of apps and data types. How workloads are distributed across environments varies according to their business priorities.
These examples demonstrate how workloads differ across industries:
Compliance and confidentiality – Law Firms
Law firms may decide to keep sensitive case files on premises for more control. Public cloud offers faster, more cost-effective options for client collaboration tools and customer portals.
High-resolution imaging workloads - Architecture
For organisations regularly accessing large, high-resolution images, local storage is often more cost-effective. Egress fees for transferring large volumes of data out of the cloud can soon mount up.
The lower latency of private cloud or on-premises storage may be a key consideration for organisations that need to retrieve images for internal and clients’ needs.
Operational control and resilience - Manufacturing
Many manufacturers keep mission-critical systems on premises for greater control over configuration, security, and business continuity. Public cloud offers elastic storage that can handle seasonal demand and host large data sets prepared for advanced analytics and machine learning.
Hybrid cloud works for businesses across many sectors. For all organisations, workload placement must be carefully planned and continuously evaluated.
An operating model for businesses
A hybrid cloud environment does bring additional complexity. Consistent monitoring and management are therefore vital for delivering its operational and cost-saving potential.
Day-to-day considerations include:
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Monitoring workflows for security and performance: Hybrid cloud environments create a larger attack surface and are liable to blind spots. Centralised monitoring is essential for detecting issues early and responding promptly.
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Patching and maintenance: Automation is key for the more complex patching and maintenance processes, coordinated across multiple environments.
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Backup verification and disaster recovery testing: Backups only work if they’re comprehensive. Regular testing is critical to ensure all backups have been completed.
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Cost tracking: Hybrid usage is not static. It’s important to monitor wasted cloud usage and spikes in data transfers that may lead to high egress costs.
For many businesses, in-house IT resources are already stretched. Managing hybrid cloud infrastructure is an additional burden and needs specialist skills. Bringing in external expertise, such as managed cloud services, can bridge the gap, ensuring that connectivity, security, backups, and controls are effectively configured.
Common mistakes with hybrid cloud management
Hybrid environments that evolve instead of being designed are often fragile. Connectivity issues add to the overall complexity. Common issues include:
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Moving everything to public cloud: There are often good reasons to retain some apps locally.
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Workload placement issues: Misplaced workloads can lead to spiralling cloud costs, excessive egress charges, or even regulatory compliance issues.
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Ignoring identity and access design: Without central oversight and governance, IAM failures can leave multiple access points for security breaches.
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Over-engineering security: Security must be a priority, but too many layers add unnecessary complexity.
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Under-estimating operational overhead: Integrations between cloud services and on-premises solutions are not always straightforward, and ensuring secure and seamless communication between the environments is often challenging. Ongoing, consistent monitoring is essential.
Hybrid offers businesses the potential to balance scalability and flexibility with control and security. Achieving this ‘best of both worlds’ depends on implementing a well-thought-through strategy, designed for businesses. Many smaller businesses have already evolved a hybrid approach by default.
However, implementing a strong architectural framework can make the difference between managing complexity and getting overwhelmed by it. If you’d like help assessing if a hybrid architecture is right for your business, speak to one of our experts at Texaport.
