Most IT chiefs still harbour doubts about cloud security

Research shows security concerns around data protection and lack of regulation persist

Almost two-thirds of IT managers still have concerns around security when moving to the cloud, according to security provider Kaspersky Labs.

The firm commissioned research undertaken by YouGov, which found that 62 per cent of IT managers see security as an obstacle to cloud adoption while less that half, 41 per cent, are planning to move or have moved their IT operations to the cloud.

The specific security fears cited were around whether data in the cloud would receive adequate protection (60 per cent) and a perceived lack of regulation (26 per cent) among cloud providers.

As a result, almost one in five (18 per cent) IT managers stated their businesses had "considered but rejected" moving any aspect of their IT to the cloud, and almost a quarter (24 per cent) had not even considered the cloud as an option.

Jagvinder Kang, a director of leading UK specialist law firm Technology Law Alliance, has helped organisations to engage with cloud services providers.

"There are a number of risks and legal issues associated with cloud computing which must be properly understood if projects are to get signed off at board-level and to avoid problems in the future," he said.

"Legal concerns, in particular relating to security, data protection and compliance are among the issues but they can be overcome. Therefore, the key to a successful cloud-computing project is the careful consideration of risks in the early stages of planning and the development of a robust cloud risk management strategy."