Cloud computing is a trend that's evolved significantly over the past decade, becoming a necessary technology consideration for enterprises across the globe.
Unlike many new trends that claim to offer advantages and increases to efficiency, the cloud offers tangible benefits in areas such as productivity and collaboration.
Of course, these benefits can only be seen when adoption is handled correctly from the outset, and mismanaged cloud installations can cause a number of issues. Caution is essential for cloud adoption, and failure to maintain a careful installation could result in security issues.
Despite this, a new article from Computer World has revealed that IT administrators are increasingly being pushed into cloud adoption by executives, regardless of whether they're ready.
Growth of Australian cloud computing
The cloud computing market is predicted to grow substantially over the next few years within Australian, according to a new report from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). Compound growth rates for industry revenue have been predicted to be between 19 and 25 per cent per annum.
What's more, the market is set to become increasingly competitive as Australian providers introduce new services in order to compete with larger global companies.
With such massive growth predicted, enterprises, IT professionals and executives need to understand that adoption should be undertaken with the utmost care.
The state of cloud adoption
When any new technology is available and offers proven benefits, executives can often rush to implement solutions. The cloud is currently the centre of attention, which is creating an urgency. This is according to independent analyst Jeff Kagan.
"Tomorrow the cloud will be tested and trusted. However, today it's still the wild, wild west. IT executives know this but they get pressure from their chief executives to jump into the cloud because it's becoming the new code word for success. And no one wants to be last," he said.
Businesses currently aren't seeing the possible challenges of a cloud installation, and are instead focusing on how the technologies can improve operational efficiencies and drive business opportunities forward.
Currently, businesses may be led to believe that cloud technologies simply reduce ongoing costs and improve efficiencies, while also maintaining a high level of security.
As cloud installations are handled by an offsite provider, changes to data storage requirements for example are managed by phone call. If more storage is required, the company simply asks the provider and more storage is allotted.
CEOs are aware of these benefits, but aren't taking the necessary time to plan the best possible implementations for the organisation. Instead of carefully observing the possible security and data handling risks, as well as the effect on employees, they're rushing in.
Commonly, businesses will want to adopt services that appear cheaper and more flexible, and push ahead without making the appropriate considerations.
The dangers of rushing implementations
Commonly, rushing a cloud installation can lead to security issues when appropriate safeguards aren't installed, and problems with staff understanding.
Once cloud systems are put in place, the necessary fire walls and vulnerability management measures are neglected, leading to the possibility of an outside breach increasing substantially.
Staff can also struggle to use the new systems, if the appropriate time hasn't been allotted for training.
The necessity of ITIL training
ITIL certification can be especially useful when it comes to managing enterprise cloud adoption, as the framework can ensure a cloud platform implementation proceeds as smoothly as possible.
As ITIL is designed to align the needs of the business with IT services, cloud technologies are able to deliver value for the organisation, while simultaneously maintaining a minimum level of competency.
With cloud technologies continuing to evolve, using ITIL framework can help to manage any future developments with relative ease.