The advantages of cloud computing are obvious, right? Companies have constantly changing IT requirements, want to do more and more business online, have masses of data to store, yet have shrinking budgets. The cloud just has to be the answer for all those companies that want to concentrate on their core competencies and gain greater flexibility.
Except in Germany it’s not the answer. Businesses here are showing a distinct lack of interest in cloud computing.
For German firms, it’s a question of trust. They need assurances that cloud service providers will guarantee security and data privacy because, at the moment, operating in the cloud means losing control over their data.
Think of it from a personal perspective. Over the last week or so there’s been quite a lot of media attention about storing medical records in the cloud. On a practical level this makes sense – there is masses of information to store, all of which might need to be accessed by any number of hospitals or doctors. However, I’m not sure if I want my radiograph flying in the cloud without knowing where it’s saved or who can access it. The same argument applies to corporate data.
To win over the German market, cloud providers need to be completely transparent about the service they offer customers. Security and data privacy are an essential part of the cloud proposition and consequently service providers invest lots of money in these areas, more than any in-house IT-department could ever afford.
It’s aspects like this that cloud providers need to shout about if they are to build trustful relationships with German companies.
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