Study: Majority of IT pros eye cloud-based storage

Early concerns about the data protection implications of the cloud appear to be falling by the wayside, as more businesses plan to deploy storage solutions that utilize the cloud, a recent study found.

The study, conducted by industry analyst firm Storage Strategies NOW and the not-for-profit Storage Networking Industry Association, found the majority – 57 percent – of surveyed IT professionals intend to adopt a cloud-based storage solution.

According to the study, companies first plan to utilize cloud storage for email data, followed by front-office application and backup data.

While cloud adoption used to be stunted by data protection concerns, tighter budgets and improved security practices from cloud vendors seem to be causing this viewpoint to shift. However, many survey respondents indicated they believe it is important to establish standards that further protect information in the cloud.

“Among the findings are that standards for cloud storage are viewed as important in advancing the industry and that, for many organizations, the security of data stored in the cloud isn’t as much of a concern as lack of budget is,” said SSG-NOW principal analyst Deni Connor.

This view was recently echoed by IBM, which, in its recent X-Force 2010 report, stated that cloud security would soon be considered a driver, rather than an inhibitor, of cloud adoption.

“As more sensitive workloads move into the cloud, the security capabilities will become more sophisticated. Over time, IBM predicts the market will drive the cloud to provide access to security capabilities and expertise that is more cost effective than in-house implementations,” the IBM report noted.

Several parties have recently announced intentions to establish cloud computing standards to help improve security, while also ensuring future growth of the technology.

Earlier this week, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers launched a new initiative designed to create standards for the cloud. The initiative includes the establishment of two working groups, tasked with addressing existing standards and drafting new rules for cloud service providers.