How cloud computing must raise its game

Nine out of 10 British businesses and organisations will be using at least one cloud computing service by the end of 2015 and an estimated 60 per cent will be using more than one, research by the Cloud Industry Forum (CIF) has revealed.

But there are still concerns that security issues could put off organisations from wholesale adoption of the cloud, even though they recognise its effectiveness when it comes to reducing IT costs and boosting efficiency.

Users are increasingly putting the onus on their cloud computing suppliers to ensure that the packages they provide are secure. According to Information Age, a clear commitment to ensuring that data remains secure is now necessary from companies selling cloud applications. It said many organisations have spent decades working on their in-house networks and systems to keep them largely free of breaches and they expect the same standards of security from their cloud suppliers.

The report said: “If cloud vendors take on their security responsibilities in a proactive and innovative way, as well as the business benefits of reduced cost and increased agility, cloud adoption could potentially transform enterprise information security and risk models forever.”

It suggests organisations using cloud products should use their IT expertise and experience built up in-house to create better contracts with their suppliers and monitor and audit how well the vendor is complying with its responsibilities.

As a result of the move towards remotely-hosted data, cloud providers also have the opportunity to recruit some of the IT talent previously employed in-house. They have the knowledge to help further security standards for the sector, which will in turn boost organisations’ trust in cloud applications.

Businesses looking to move services into the cloud, should evaluate the performance of their existing network and consider setting up a leased line or MPLS network.

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