A hybrid cloud refers to a cloud computing environment that combines elements of both public and private clouds, allowing data and applications to be shared between them. It involves connecting and integrating distinct cloud infrastructures, typically a private cloud (on-premises or dedicated infrastructure) and one or more public cloud services.
Hybrid clouds provide a balance between the control and security of a private cloud and the flexibility of the public cloud. This allows organisations to meet regulatory compliance requirements while taking advantage of public cloud services.
Hybrid clouds are beneficial for industries such as finance, healthcare, and government, where security, compliance, and data sovereignty are critical concerns, but scalability and flexibility are also required.