Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Subscribe
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Subscribe
    Home Cloud
    • Cloud
    • Small Business

    Federal IT Leaders View Migration to Cloud With Caution

    Written by

    Nathan Eddy
    Published September 11, 2014
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.

      Federal agencies want to double their cloud use across infrastructure, platforms and applications, but 89 percent of federal IT professionals still feel some apprehension about migrating to the cloud, according to a MeriTalk study underwritten by NetApp and Arrow.

      Fifty-five percent of federal IT professionals say that cloud makes data management/stewardship easier, noting easier upgrades and configuration management, stronger virtual staff support, faster data access and system monitoring as key benefits.

      While only 44 percent of agencies have “mature” data governance practices in the cloud, 56 percent are currently in the process of implementing data stewardship or a more formal data governance program for their cloud services or vendors.

      The survey found that those who are actively improving these programs are more likely to be comfortable turning over their IT services to cloud vendors (53 percent), than those who are not (32 percent).

      While 54 percent of respondents cite security as their top concern, only one in five feel that the security offered by their cloud vendors is completely sufficient.

      “Folks need to lose the fear factor [over cloud migration]. Jumping to the cloud is not a skydive,” Stephen O’Keeffe, founder of MeriTalk, told eWEEK. “You can jump and get back in the plane–you can also control your speed of descent, or ascent for that matter. Moving to the cloud does not mean losing control.”

      Indeed, nearly nine out of 10 (89 percent) agencies have taken steps to manage trust with their cloud vendors, including keeping security functions on-premise (42 percent), requiring certification of security measures taken (41 percent), and requiring that data resides on dedicated server, storage and network infrastructure (39 percent).

      Additionally, those who use or plan to use a cloud brokerage service are significantly more comfortable turning their agency’s IT services and applications over to cloud providers (62 percent) than those who do not (32 percent).

      The survey indicated federal agencies still have a ways to go, with key elements missing from their data governance policies.

      For example, 61 percent of respondents note that their agencies do not have quality, documented metadata, 52 percent do not have well-understood data integration, half have not defined or identified data owners, and 49 percent do not have known systems of record.

      “We’ll see all manner of clouds–private, hybrid, public and everything in between. There will be successes and failures–and they’re all good,” O’Keefe said. “Although, after healthcare.gov, anticipate the failures will be quicker and much smaller scale. Agencies need to look at cloud migration for legacy systems–not just as an option for new build.”

      O’Keefe noted 70 percent of the federal government’s $80 billion annual spend is tied up in maintaining geriatric systems.

      “We need to consolidate applications, shrink capex infrastructure and pull the plug on crotchety and incontinent IT,” he concluded.

      Nathan Eddy
      Nathan Eddy
      A graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Nathan was perviously the editor of gaming industry newsletter FierceGameBiz and has written for various consumer and tech publications including Popular Mechanics, Popular Science, CRN, and The Times of London. Currently based in Berlin, he released his first documentary film, The Absent Column, in 2013.

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Artificial Intelligence

      9 Best AI 3D Generators You Need...

      Sam Rinko - June 25, 2024 0
      AI 3D Generators are powerful tools for many different industries. Discover the best AI 3D Generators, and learn which is best for your specific use case.
      Read more
      Cloud

      RingCentral Expands Its Collaboration Platform

      Zeus Kerravala - November 22, 2023 0
      RingCentral adds AI-enabled contact center and hybrid event products to its suite of collaboration services.
      Read more
      Artificial Intelligence

      8 Best AI Data Analytics Software &...

      Aminu Abdullahi - January 18, 2024 0
      Learn the top AI data analytics software to use. Compare AI data analytics solutions & features to make the best choice for your business.
      Read more
      Latest News

      Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

      James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
      I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
      Read more
      Video

      Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

      James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
      I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2024 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.