01 Jul 2010

Security 'a concern' for cloud uptake

Businesses continue to see ensuring the security of cloud services as the major stumbling block to widespread uptake of the technology, it has been stated.

Doug Miles, UK managing director at AIIM Europe, speaking at the AIIM Roadshow 2010, said many firms are unsure of the guarantees that are given by cloud service providers, as the data is ultimately handled by a third party and in an open domain.

Indeed, the connection of cloud services to existing IT infrastructure could also prove to be a problem.

He commented: "Security is obviously an issue, interoperability is obviously an issue - how do you connect the cloud service to your in-house back-end services?"

According to a poll recently carried out at IT infrastructure event 360°IT, half of organisations said that what excites them most about the cloud - aside from the acknowledged business benefits of cost saving and increased agility - is that resources can be reassigned to focus more on creativity and growth rather than fire drills.