Customer cloud security worries do vary
Blanket talk of security issues does little to allay customer fears about the cloud, says Michel Robert
I heard recently about some research conducted by vendor Network Instruments that names security as the biggest concern for users of cloud services.
This manufacturer of network troubleshooting offerings conducted a survey which is thorough but also fails to identify the specific issues that underpin this concern.
We think every cloud user should ask where the data is being hosted and how well integrated the cloud service is with the underlying network.
Cloud-based services can present businesses with a great opportunity to have more effective delivery of their IT services, but there are also potential problems.
Network Instruments highlighted the concerns that I think many IT professionals, end users and C-level executives have about cloud computing and the impact it may have on their organisation.
Concerns include the security of corporate data during the cloud adoption or migration process. We regard data security as one of the most important aspects of any service.
Different regional territories are subject to different data protection policies, as well as legislation that could compromise data privacy. This means that where customer data physically resides is important.
At the same time, most cloud providers do not offer an integrated network. This means users have to rely on the public internet for connectivity, as well as having to invest in and manage separate security systems such as VPNs and firewalls at every end point.
For most businesses, data security will be a concern when moving away from the traditional in-house infrastructure.
For business customers to benefit from cloud, the service providers need to do more to allay their fears.
But the cloud industry needs to move away from using the catch-all term "security" and to start talking about specific dangers and threats, and what can be done to overcome them.
Michel Robert is managing director of Claranet