Global Findings for the 2011 State of Cloud Survey

  • Oct 05, 2011

While computing changes constantly, most shifts are simple changes that don’t require organizations to change the core of how they work. Not so with cloud computing. While promising significant benefits, it requires organizations to change how they approach IT.

To better understand how organizations are dealing with these changes, Symantec commissioned the 2011 State of Cloud Survey, which gives a unique perspective on how organizations are adopting cloud computing. One of the largest surveys of its kind, it includes responses from 5,300 organizations across 38 countries.

In all, the survey asked more than 130 questions about a wide range of cloud computing areas,
including:

• Public Software-as-a-Service
• Hybrid Infrastructure or Platform-as-a Service
• Public Infrastructure or Platform-as-a-Service
• Private Infrastructure or Platform-as-a-Service

The most striking findings are based on the process of moving to the cloud. First, organizations are conflicted about security, rating it both as a goal and a concern with moving to the cloud. This is unique to cloud computing. This may sound confusing, but we think this makes sense. Done correctly, security can be improved in a cloud environment. But it doesn’t happen without planning and careful attention during the implementation phase.

Second, the survey found – perhaps not surprisingly – that organizations do not feel their computing staff is fully up to the challenge of moving to the cloud. This is a new area and computing professionals who have experience with cloud services are few and far between – less than 25 percent of total staff.

Resulting from this lack of readiness, the third survey finding is that while interest in cloud is high, few organizations have crossed the finish line, despite tremendous interest (and media coverage). Fourth, among those organizations that have completed the move to cloud, there is a striking gap between the goals they expected to achieve and what they actually achieved.

View the full report here.

Featured

  • The Future of Access Control: Cloud-Based Solutions for Safer Workplaces

    Access controls have revolutionized the way we protect our people, assets and operations. Gone are the days of cumbersome keychains and the security liabilities they introduced, but it’s a mistake to think that their evolution has reached its peak. Read Now

  • A Look at AI

    Large language models (LLMs) have taken the world by storm. Within months of OpenAI launching its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, it amassed more than 100 million users, making it the fastest-growing consumer application in history. Read Now

  • First, Do No Harm: Responsibly Applying Artificial Intelligence

    It was 2022 when early LLMs (Large Language Models) brought the term “AI” into mainstream public consciousness and since then, we’ve seen security corporations and integrators attempt to develop their solutions and sales pitches around the biggest tech boom of the 21st century. However, not all “artificial intelligence” is equally suitable for security applications, and it’s essential for end users to remain vigilant in understanding how their solutions are utilizing AI. Read Now

  • Improve Incident Response With Intelligent Cloud Video Surveillance

    Video surveillance is a vital part of business security, helping institutions protect against everyday threats for increased employee, customer, and student safety. However, many outdated surveillance solutions lack the ability to offer immediate insights into critical incidents. This slows down investigations and limits how effectively teams can respond to situations, creating greater risks for the organization. Read Now

  • Security Today Announces 2025 CyberSecured Award Winners

    Security Today is pleased to announce the 2025 CyberSecured Awards winners. Sixteen companies are being recognized this year for their network products and other cybersecurity initiatives that secure our world today. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.