Derek Wilcocks

Companies shouldn’t let their fears hamper their growth

Security is an excuse most often given for not moving to any new technology, according to Derek Wilcocks, CEO of Dimension Data Middle East & Africa. Wilcocks was part of the cloud computing panel discussion keynote at Dimension Data’s recent Accelerate event, held at The Forum, in Bryanston, in June. The panel discussion was moderated by journalist Jeremy Maggs.

“[Security] is always the first thing people use to retard their decision to move to new technology. That’s not to say it’s not real; it’s something that should be considered very carefully. But it’s also the way people retard the decision-making process internally, it creates doubt,” says Wilcocks.

He says there are a number of cloud providers handling some of the most sensitive and secure information in the world, such as healthcare information. “There are people operating incredibly securely on the cloud.”

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Greg Hatfield" src="http://www.iweek.co.za/images/stories/2010/july12/greg_hatfield.jpg" />Treb Ryan, software executive board at the SIIA, says in the US, security is sometimes the reason people move to the cloud in the first place. “It’s important to understand not all cloud is equal. The idea of having your data sit in trusted third party is really no different to having your money sit with a trusted third party.”

He says the security capabilities of a large cloud provider is far greater than the in-house IT of some companies, and the compliance measures are stricter.

Greg Hatfield, GM: cloud computing at Dimension Data Middle East & Africa, says a big problem with cloud computing is around perception and understanding. “It’s more of a natural resistance to change than it is a substantiated difference in the risk,” he says. The only solution is to work through it with the clients, and discuss any fears they may have, and to show them how their data is being kept secure.

Andile Ncaba

According to Andile Ngcaba, chairman of Dimension Data Middle East & Africa, one of the biggest security issues facing cloud computing today is the location of data. “Where does the data reside?” he asks. He says there were issues in Europe about where to put healthcare data, in the private or public cloud. “The issue of domicile or jurisdiction is becoming a big problem,” he says.

Another issue, says Ncaba, is the security of the device itself. “I think the device can be a risk on its own,” he says. “You can’t make cloud managers the people solely responsible for security. The devices need security,” he says.

Hatfield says, at this point, many companies are still reluctant to put their core data into the cloud. But many are willing to put certain applications on a shared infrastructure.

In a true public cloud environment, Hatfield says, organisations would get pay-as-you-go services. However, with hybrid or private clouds, companies need to have some sort of regular fee.

“The key premise on which a utility bill or pay-as-you-go service is based is multi-tenancy – and scale,” he says. Service providers need to be able to sell unused capacity to other clients. So, if a company is not willing to share its platform, the service provider is unable to provide true consumption billing.