Cloud Computing

Community Cloud

Definition

A community cloud is a cloud computing deployment model where the infrastructure is shared by several organizations from a specific community with common concerns (e.g., security, compliance, jurisdiction), whether managed internally or by a third-party and hosted internally or externally.

Why It Matters

Community clouds provide a way for organizations with similar needs to share the costs and benefits of a cloud environment that is tailored to their specific requirements.

Contextual Example

A group of government agencies might create a community cloud to share data and applications. This cloud would be designed to meet the specific security and compliance standards required for government work.

Common Misunderstandings

  • It is a less common deployment model than public, private, or hybrid clouds.
  • The costs are spread over fewer users than a public cloud but more than a private cloud.

Related Terms

Last Updated: December 17, 2025