Survey: Cloud computing implementation low
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The survey commissioned 5,300 organizations representing 38 countries to examine how they are adopting cloud computing and dealing with the changes it can impose on their IT management.
Conducted from April to July, the survey focused on various forms of cloud computing including public and private software-as-a-service, hybrid infrastructure or platform-as-service, as well as public and private infrastructure or platform-as-a-service.
The Mountain View, Calif.-headquartered security service developer found that while 75 to 81 percent of respondents are at least discussing forms of cloud computing, 73 percent of respondents have adopted or are adopting some sort of cloud service, with security services leading the way.
The top cloud services organizations are adopting include e-mail services (such as management or security), security management and web and information management security.
“However, few have fully migrated to the cloud. Less than 20 percent reported having completed implementing each of the cloud focus areas covered by the research,” the report stated. “About one in four organizations are currently in an implementation phase. About two-thirds are still in early discussions, trials or not considering a move to the cloud at all.”
According to the survey, organizations are conflicted about security – rating it both as a top goal and as a top concern with moving to the cloud. Eighty-seven percent of respondents are confident that moving to the cloud will not impact or will actually improve their security. However, achieving security for cloud environments is also a top concern for these organizations, which cited potential risks including malware, hacker-based theft and loss of confidential data.
The minority of respondents (between 15 and 18 percent) rated their staff as extremely prepared for the transition to cloud. Almost half of the respondents said their IT staffs are not ready at this time, the survey found.
“Part of the reason for this readiness shortfall is lack of experience, as just 25 percent of IT teams have any cloud experience,” the survey said. “As a result, most organizations are currently turning to outside resources for help. In fact, when deploying a hybrid infrastructure or platform-as-a-service, about three in four respondents said they are turning to value added resellers, independent consultants, vendor professional services organizations or systems integrators.”
The survey concluded that organizations having implemented cloud technologies are not seeing the results/benefits they had anticipated. Eighty-eight percent expected cloud to improve their IT agility, but only 47 percent said that it actually did. Results also fell short in the areas of disaster recovery, efficiency, lower operational expenses and improved security.