Businesses unclear on how to handle cloud computing

What was most interesting from the Security of the Future event which Symantec ran yesterday was that businesses are unclear on how to handle cloud technology. The event brought together security and privacy experts from across Europe at a roundtable discussion to debate the benefits of cloud computing to businesses worldwide, its potential global impact and resulting responsibilities and the next steps in the cloud race.

Looking at both the opportunities and challenges associated with cloud computing that were aired, it is clear that prevention and protection against cyber threats are key and there is a need to match solutions to a new and ever morphing cyber environment. However, while cloud computing is clearly the biggest buzzword this year, the panel all agreed that confusion around how to handle the technology reigns – different definitions and dueling perceptions of cloud computing are muddling expectations about its benefits.

The confusion extends to companies not understanding what data they hold, what is private or otherwise, and as a result there is concern about how to protect it. Before companies jump onto the bandwagon, it is imperative that they are familiar and comfortable with the term cloud computing – and how they can adopt and implement it in line with business objectives. The discussion also highlighted that the uncertain economic climate has two disparate effects on business leaders: businesses who realise the cost benefit of cloud computing are being spurred on, while many other leaders turn a blind eye to the potential business benefits of cloud computing. They seem to be unwilling to switch from internally owned and managed IT systems to cloud computing technologies due to fears of security threats and loss of control over company systems and data.

Another big challenge in the world of the cloud is changing business plans, according to those attending the event. As business plans change and evolve, so will companies’ cloud computing requirements. On the other hand, as cloud computing is delivered by service providers, any change in their business plans will have an impact on how the cloud is delivered and offered to businesses. It is important to note that cloud computing is a global opportunity – and therefore a global issue with global concerns and responsibility.

UK businesses should therefore recognise that issues and challenges associated with the cloud needs to be addressed from a global, and not just a UK or European, perspective. Legislation will therefore be driven from a global point of view. While it is clear we have some homework to do as far as cloud computing is concerned, there is not getting away from the fact that it is here to stay and grow. Having said this, much still needs to be invented and done before the sky will become truly cloudy.

The panel was chaired by Ilias Chantzos, Director Government Relations, Symantec and panel members included; Dr. Guy Bunker, Security Consultant; John Carr, Secretary, UK Children’s Charities’ Coalition on Internet Safety; Dave Evans, Senior Data Protection Practice Manager Information Commissioner’s Office, UK; Steve Purser, Head of Technical department, ENISA and Kimon Zorbas, Vice President, Interactive Advertising Bureau, Europe.

You can see some of the preliminary discussion which was filmed live on the new Symantec Fast Response TV hosted on this blog site.

Abigail Lovell

June 25, 2009 | Filed Under Cloud computing, Regulation 

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