The recent KPMG Convergence Report looking at online trends in the mobile web found that nine out of ten Australian consumers are concerned about the security of their online data.
In light of recent corporate security breaches such as Sony’s and Telstra’s this is understandable which creates a real barrier for the adoption of cloud computing services.
For cloud computing to be taken seriously, customers have to be certain their data and applications will be respected and protected.
The corporate sector’s failure to hold senior management responsible these problems shows how big businesses largely aren’t taking user privacy or security seriously.
This is a great opportunity for new businesses, we’ve already seen Amazon become the biggest host for cloud services over storage and Internet incumbents who five years ago would have dismissed Jeff Bezo’s company as a glorified book stand.
For newer companies offering cloud services it’s a chance to build a culture where customer service, privacy and respect comes before management bonuses and perks. Where delivering what you promise is more than waving a vague Service Level Agreement (SLA) document under customer’s noses.
As customers, big and small businesses have much to gain from cloud computing‘s productivity, collaboration and cost saving aspects but trust that data will be protected and the service will be available is essential.
Before choosing a cloud service have a search of the web and popular forums to check what people are saying about the product.
Don’t rely on fancy marketing, or assume that a big company will be better at protecting your data. The evidence is clear that smaller, newer companies are doing a better job at protecting data and ensuring business continuity than many of their bigger competitors.
Over time, customers are going to get used to trusting cloud service providers and the businesses who’ll succeed in the online applications world are those who’ve been shown to be trustworthy.
This is one way the web is changing the way we do business.