10 Mar 2010

Cloud computing 'forces data governance'

The uptake of cloud computing technology is forcing businesses to address compliance issues in their data storage and IT infrastructure, it has been claimed.

Michael Vizard wrote in a blog for IT Business Edge that data security for cloud-based files is an issue due to the high levels of access that is granted to this type of information.

As a result, the introduction of improved security methods and ensuring authorisation processes are in place should be a priority for cloud computing users.

He noted: "Obviously, the most sensitive data should continue to reside on premise, but there is a host of information that companies routinely store that doesn't need to be that secure."

Elsewhere, CBR Online recently reported that Harriet Pearson, vice-president for security counsel and chief privacy officer at IBM, said 80 per cent of businesses that would consider using the cloud feel data security is their number one concern.