On-Premises or Cloud? — TechKnowSurge

About this interactive

On-premises means you manage everything: the ISP link, the firewalls and switches, the UPSs, the AC unit, the servers and the services on them. Whether that is the right choice depends on who you are. Cost runs both ways. A small business pays a lot, in money and time, for redundant power, cooling and internet, and a cloud provider spreads those costs over many customers. A large business with heavy, steady loads often finds owning cheaper than renting. There is a tipping point, and the cloud is not automatically cheaper. Security runs both ways too. On-premises gives you full control and resources you share with no one, which can be more secure if you have the people to run it well. If you do not, the cloud can be more secure, because its operators secure those machines as their day job. To sort a card, ask whether the fact makes running it yourself easier and cheaper, or harder and dearer.

What you'll learn

Decide whether a fact about an organization points toward hosting on-premises or in the cloud, weighing cost, control and security
Recognize that on-premises can be more or less secure than the cloud depending on the resources and expertise the organization has

Aligned to

CompTIA Security+

3.1 Compare and contrast security implications of different architecture models.

3.2 Given a scenario, apply security principles to secure enterprise infrastructure.

Key terms

On-Premises: An infrastructure deployment model in which hardware and software are hosted locally within an organization's own facilities rather than in a cloud provider's data center. On-premises deployments give organizations full control over their security posture.
Cloud Computing: The delivery of computing services including servers, storage, and software over the internet on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Redundancy: The duplication of critical components or systems to increase reliability and availability.
Uninterruptible Power Supply: A battery-backed power device that provides continuous power to connected equipment during utility power outages or voltage fluctuations, allowing safe shutdown or continued operation. UPS units are essential for servers and critical infrastructure to prevent data loss.
Total Cost of Ownership: The comprehensive assessment of all direct and indirect costs associated with acquiring, deploying, maintaining, and decommissioning an IT asset over its lifetime.

Topics

Interactive Streak Sort

About TechKnowSurge

TechKnowSurge builds IT and cybersecurity professionals through hands-on, concept-first training built around real understanding — not memorization. Free interactive tools, structured programs, and 25+ years of real-world experience, all in one place.

Explore free tools and programs →