Cloud migration is an integral part of many businesses’ IT strategies. And there are plenty of options for achieving this goal. When choosing a public cloud solution, most companies choose between Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). All with good reputations and comparably similar features, how can an organisation select which is the right solution to invest in? We run through each platform below regarding service offerings, security and key differences to help you decide.
Public Cloud Solution Service Offerings
AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud provide comprehensive suites of cloud services, each excelling in different areas:
- AWS is known for its wide range of services, especially in computing, storage and networking. With services like EC2, S3, and VPC, AWS provides powerful and scalable tools for businesses to build and scale their applications. In addition, AWS specializes in AI / ML with Amazon SageMaker, which provides a variety of tools for companies looking to add automation to their operations.
- Azure has a strong connection to the Microsoft ecosystem, making it a natural choice for companies that already utilise Microsoft products. Azure Virtual Machines, Blob Storage, and Virtual Networks provide powerful infrastructure services, while Azure Machine Learning and Cognitive Services provide powerful AI/ML capabilities, especially for industries familiar with the Microsoft environment.
- Google Cloud is best for data analytics and AI/ML. Services like BigQuery, Compute Engine and Vertex AI make it a platform for businesses that prioritize data-driven decision-making and need advanced machine learning tools. Google’s focus on open source and developer-friendly tools also makes it popular with startups and developers.
For many organisations, one of the above features will resonate with their goals and objectives. But there are other areas to consider:
Security: Ensuring Robust Protection
Security is another critical factor to consider when choosing a cloud provider, and AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud all offer extensive security features and compliance certifications.
AWS is known for its advanced security tools, including Identity and Access Management (IAM), Shield for DDoS protection, and GuardDuty for threat detection. These tools, combined with AWS’s numerous compliance certifications, such as GDPR and HIPAA, make it a reliable choice for businesses with stringent security and regulatory requirements.
On the other hand, Azure deeply integrates security within its services, particularly through Azure Active Directory and Azure Security Centre. Azure’s strong focus on enterprise security is reflected in its comprehensive compliance portfolio, which supports key regulations like GDPR and FedRAMP, making it particularly attractive to businesses operating in heavily regulated industries.
Google Cloud emphasizes encryption and a zero-trust security model, offering robust features such as IAM and the Security Command Centre. This approach to security is especially appealing to organisations that prioritise data privacy and need to adhere to regulations like GDPR in the UK and Europe and CCPA in the US. Google Cloud’s emphasis on security and privacy makes it a strong contender for businesses focused on maintaining strict data protection standards.
To this degree, all three offer excellent security – though an organisation already routed in Microsoft security measures may lean into Azure.
Key Differentiators Between Public Cloud Solutions
As a final step of evaluating AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud for your business’s needs, it is important to consider how they differ.
AWS boasts a broad range of services and a large global network of data centres, making it a good option for flexible and scalable solutions. However, navigating its extensive ecosystem can be complex, requiring a steeper learning curve.
Azure’s strength rests on its seamless integration with Microsoft products, making it ideal for enterprises already using Microsoft tools Azure also excels at hybrid cloud capabilities, allowing businesses to manage and move workloads between on-premises and cloud environments easily.
Google Cloud, finally, has a strong emphasis on data analytics, AI/ML, and open-source technologies, making it an excellent choice for companies prioritizing data-driven decision-making and cutting-edge technology. Its developer-centric approach and competitive pricing are particularly attractive for startups and innovative businesses.
Again, a point in the above is likely to resonate with an organisation.
Choosing the Right Public Cloud Solution: What’s Right For Your Organisation?
The choice between AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, therefore, depends largely on your organisation’s needs as well as your existing IT infrastructure.
Broadly speaking, AWS offers unmatched service variety and global reach, Azure works best in hybrid cloud and enterprise integration, while Google Cloud leads in data analytics and AI/ML.
Assessing these factors carefully will help you select the cloud provider that best aligns with your strategic goals.
As an expert in cloud solutions, Akita supports can help organisations get the most from any of these platforms. Our consultants can advise on selecting the right public cloud solution for your organisation’s requirements, and then assist with implementation and ongoing management.
To discuss a public cloud solution with our experts, please get in touch:
Contact Us
