What is a community cloud?

A community cloud refers to a shared cloud infrastructure that is utilized by multiple organizations that have similar interests, goals, or requirements. This model allows these organizations to collaborate and share resources effectively while maintaining a level of privacy and control that might not be available in a public cloud setting.

Organizations benefit from this collaboration through cost-efficiency and customized solutions tailored to their community’s specific needs, such as regulatory compliance, security requirements, or specific data processing capabilities. By pooling their resources, the involved organizations can achieve a high level of service and technology without the full cost burden that would come from building and maintaining their infrastructure independently.

The other options do not accurately define a community cloud. A regional cloud service provider does not capture the idea of organizations sharing a cloud infrastructure; rather, it focuses on location. A private network used by a single organization is, by definition, a private cloud and does not involve multiple organizations. A public cloud available to everyone lacks the exclusivity and commonality of interests that characterize a community cloud, as it is designed for general public usage without shared governance or common goals.