盡管云計算為企業組織提供了機遇，使他們改變了向企業提供信息科技解決方案的方式，但是Protiviti（領先獨立的風險咨詢與內部審計公司）的一項最新研究顯示，近乎四分之三的英國IT管理者認為，“云計算”與他們的企業毫不相關。
Protiviti 的總經理Jonathan Wyatt說：“如此之多的管理者看來沒有看到云計算技術的價值，這讓我大吃一驚。云計算通過進一步外包充分利用現有的機會發展。新興技術和云服務使企業組織改變了經營方式，最終實現降低成本的同時也提高了工作性能。”
當前僅有不到十分之一（8%）的受調查IT管理者稱自己的企業在一兩個服務中采用云計算技術，僅有3%的公司已經在企業中廣泛使用云計算。使用云相關服務的公司大多都是大型以及從事服務業的公司。然而Protiviti指出，許多組織都沒有明確的云計算策略。
根據調查，安全問題是云服務廣泛應用中最大的障礙，其次就是數據保密問題。其他的障礙還包括服務可靠性和可用性，以及云供應商失敗時的業務重整問題。
但是Protiviti警示，雖然需要嚴肅應對這些領域的風險，但云計算也有很大好處，企業要在應對風險的同時充分把握時機發展壯大。
Jonathan Wyatt說：“對安全性及數據保密的擔心似乎使云計算潛在的益處相形見絀。企業需要多方面考慮云計算及其所帶來的機遇。每當公司尋找發展途徑，又受到成本限制時，云計算就會提供減少經費的方法，而且與需要直接匹配。”
Protiviti的調查顯示，未來三年，僅有十分之三的公司計劃使用云計算，16%準備開發私有云服務，10%正在考慮使用公共云服務。余下2%的IT管理者稱，自己的公司正在尋找合資企業，開發半私有云服務。
缺乏技能和理解力也許是廣泛采用云計算意義最深遠的障礙。Protiviti最近公布了關于2011IT技能和需求的調查， 其中，公司認為需要改進的項目中，前三位中云計算和虛擬化占了兩項。
Jonathan Wyatt 繼續說道：所有的企業應首先在低風險的領域使用云計算進行實驗。如：軟件及服務（注重非企業的關鍵應用）以及平臺即服務（為開發和測試設計）都可成為企業起步的選擇。在這些低風險領域進行實驗可讓IT部門立即節省費用，還可讓企業提高迎接新機遇的技能。
“我們已經做好了準備，看見眾多客戶通過獲得云計算技術的回報，他們擁有了臨時應對高要求的能力。 比如現在，網上零售商不必全年進行大筆的資本支出就可以滿足季度訂單的需求。
“還有很多IT管理者缺乏對云計算準確概念的基本了解，更別提如何充分利用它了。許多公司已經準備在CRM和其他市場服務中運用云計算技術，但是很多情況下，IT部門對此還渾然不知。這種無知給自己的企業制造了風險。
Protiviti 當今正在與全球許多家組織合作，幫助他們了解云計算的潛在影響，創建應對新機遇的戰略反饋，決定應對風險的方針及程序。
Despite the fact that cloud computing provides opportunities for all organisations to change the way in which they provide the business with information technology solutions, almost three quarters (74%) of IT managers from across the UK think that ‘cloud computing’ is not at all relevant to their business, according to a new study by Protiviti, the leading independent risk consultancy and internal audit firm.
Jonathan Wyatt, Managing Director, Protiviti UK said: “It’s surprising that so many IT managers appear to see no value in cloud technology. The cloud takes the opportunities presented by outsourcing to the next level. Emerging technologies and cloud services provide all organisations with opportunities to change the way they operate and ultimately to improve performance whilst reducing cost.”
Currently just under one in ten (8%) IT managers surveyed said that their business is using the cloud for one or two services, while just 3% of firms have adopted it widely across the business. The companies most likely to be using cloud related services are larger companies and those operating in the Services sector. However, Protiviti noted that many organisations do not have a clear strategy for cloud computing.
According to the research, security is the biggest barrier to the widespread adoption of cloud services, followed by data privacy. Other barriers to adoption identified include concerns over reliability and availability of services and concerns over business recovery, in the event of failure of a cloud provider.
But Protiviti warns that while these areas of risk need to be taken seriously, there are significant benefits, and businesses can take advantage of the opportunities whilst managing the risks.
Jonathan Wyatt, Managing Director, Protiviti UK said: “Concerns over security and data privacy appear to be overshadowing the potential benefits offered by the cloud. Businesses need to be more creative about how they think about the cloud and the opportunities it presents. At a time when companies are looking at ways to grow whilst keeping a lid on costs, cloud computing offers a way to significantly reduce overheads and to allow supply to be more directly matched to demand.”
Protiviti’s research reveals that only three in ten firms are planning to use cloud computing over the next three years, with 16% looking to develop a private cloud service and 10% considering using a public cloud service. The remaining 2% of IT managers say that their firms are currently looking at joint venture, semi private cloud services.
Lack of skills and understanding is perhaps the most significant barrier to widespread adoption. Protiviti recently released its 2011 IT Capabilities and Needs survey, where Cloud computing and Virtualisation were identified as two of the top three areas where companies recognised a need to improve.
Jonathan Wyatt continues, “All businesses should start to experiment using the cloud in low risk areas. Software as a service, focused on non-business critical applications and platform as a service, for development and test, are good places for people to start. Experimenting in these lower risk areas can provide IT departments with immediate savings, and also enable the business to develop the competencies required to respond to new opportunities as they arise.
“We are already seeing many of our clients reaping the rewards of cloud technology by procuring additional capacity at times of high demand. For example, online retailers are now able to meet seasonal demand for orders without having to commit to a significant capital outlay to meet peak demand all year round.
“There also seems to be a fundamental lack of understanding among many IT managers as to exactly what cloud computing is, let alone how to make best use of it. Many firms will already use some form of cloud technology for CRM or other marketing services but in many cases, the IT department is unaware. Such ignorance is itself posing significant risks to the business.”
Protiviti is currently working with many organisations around the world to help them understand the potential impact of cloud computing, establish a strategic response to the potential opportunities it presents, and define policies and procedures that manage the risks associated with its use.
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