What is a disadvantage of using public cloud services?

Choosing public cloud services can introduce potential security and privacy issues, which is why this choice is considered a disadvantage. Public clouds often involve third-party ownership of the infrastructure where data is stored and managed. This can raise concerns about unauthorized access, data breaches, and compliance with data protection regulations. Because users share resources with others, there is a risk that sensitive information could be exposed or inadvertently accessed by unauthorized parties.

Organizations must carefully evaluate their security policies and consider whether public clouds offer enough protection for their data. This concern is particularly relevant for businesses that handle sensitive information, such as personal data or financial records, and must comply with strict regulatory standards regarding data privacy.

In contrast, other options like high initial setup costs or dependence on local hardware are more closely associated with private cloud infrastructure rather than public clouds. Public cloud services are typically designed to provide affordable and scalable solutions, mitigating concerns related to scalability options.