Businesses are still wary of the cloud, with security fears ever-present, a new report from computer maker Dell suggests.
While security concerns are holding organisations back from further investing in major technologies, a lack of readily available security information also means organisations are not prepared during security breaches.
According to Dell’s Global Technology Adoption Index (GTAI), less than half of companies’ workforces are aware of their own security rules.
“We know that security, cloud, mobility and big data are the top IT priorities in all industries, but we need a deeper understanding of the practical realities of how companies are using these technologies today and what, if anything, is preventing them from unleashing their full potential,” said Karen Quintos, Dell’s chief marketing officer.
A survey of more than 2,000 organisations across the globe also found that big data adoption was less popular than that of cloud, as many businesses are failing to see the benefits.
“Despite mounting security risks and increased reliance on the internet and technology to run their businesses, many small and mid-sized organisations are underprepared to deal with today’s security threats, let alone those of the future,” said Laurie McCabe, partner, SMB Group.
“These companies know that disruptive technologies like cloud, mobility and big data can drive innovation and create competitive advantage. But it’s often difficult for them to take a strategic approach and overcome security concerns in order to fully harness the potential.”
This certainly is the cloud era though, if the GTAI is anything to go by. Almost all IT decision-makers surveyed said their company either uses or plans to use cloud solutions. The findings also show a strong correlation between cloud use and company growth.
“Of those using cloud, 72pc of organisations surveyed experienced 6pc growth or more in the last three years, with just 4pc experiencing zero or negative growth,” reads the report.
“This is in sharp contrast with companies not using cloud, where just 24pc have growth rates of 6pc or more, and 37pc experienced either zero or negative growth.”
