Many organisations are paying an 'opportunity cost' by overestimating the risk inherent in certain forms of cloud computing, while an equal number are taking unrecognised and inappropriately high levels of risk by placing sensitive data in cloud services that are not designed for it.
This was among the key findings listed in Gartner's 'Predicts 2014: Cloud computing affects all aspects of IT' report, and indicates a significant disparity in how the survey's respondents are tackling the move to the cloud.
"A look at the local market shows a similar disparity, although for a different reason. While some progressive CIOs have successfully moved in to the cloud, other senior decision-makers are being somewhat risk-adverse here. Which is a real pity because, if approached the right way, cloud computing can make a real difference to the bottom line - without exposing the business to any increased risk," says Jon Tullett, senior editor: news analysis at ITWeb. "For a lot of South African companies, cloud right now means hosting."
ITWeb will present its third annual cloud computing conference in Johannesburg in September, and the event is geared towards assisting C-level executives and other senior IT and business decision-makers to successfully switch to the cloud. "Key highlights here will be a look at who is successfully using the cloud, the practicalities of making the switch and addressing the concerns of those CIOs who want to use cloud computing as a business enabler, but haven't committed to this yet," says Tullett.
Among the topics to be covered at this year's event are how best to negotiate cloud contracts, budgeting and cost optimisation in the cloud, using cloud computing to regain business agility, and an in-depth look at the relevant security considerations.
Click here to find out more about the ITWeb Cloud Computing Summit 2014 and pre-register.
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