**What is the difference between public and private cloud computing?**
The primary difference between public and private cloud computing lies in infrastructure ownership and accessibility. Public clouds are owned and operated by third-party service providers and offer resources over the internet to multiple organizations. They provide scalability and cost-effectiveness but may lack customized security. In contrast, private clouds are exclusively used by a single organization, providing more control and security over data and resources. Organizations with strict compliance requirements often prefer private clouds, while public clouds cater to businesses seeking flexible and on-demand access to computing resources.