Data Backup Digest

Although it was once a foreign concept to many, the benefits of cloud computing are becoming more and more apparent every single day. In fact, some consumers are reaping the advantages of modern cloud computing without even realizing it. According to the latest reports by RightScale, both hybrid and cloud adoption saw significant gains from 2015 to 2016. The report went on to indicate that 95% of survey respondents were currently using some form of public, private or hybrid cloud architecture.

Given these statistics, as well as the obvious increase in cloud-based services and technology as of late, it's safe to say that cloud computing will find its way into the everyday life of most consumers before much longer. In fact, Brian Gracely, cloud analyst with Wikibon, is confident that cloud computing will be consider a core competency by the end of 2016.

Changing the Industry Focus

When cloud computing first began permeating the mainstream, most of the early adopters were drawn in by the scalability, affordability and even the sheer innovation of the cloud. According to a recent survey by Wikibon and North Bridge Venture Partners, however, those who are just now embracing the cloud are primarily doing so in order to achieve greater IT agility and flexibility.

Today's enterprises are turning to the cloud for other reasons, too. Recent studies have indicated growing interest in platform-as-a-service, database-as-a-service and even software-defined networking capabilities. Such technologies weren't even considered by the earliest of cloud users.

Eliminating the Middleman

Cloud computing is even affecting the IT industry in other ways. As enterprises now have access to more cloud-based services and functionality than ever before, many of them are cutting down on their overall number of vendors, distributors and value-added resellers. While it may actually seem counterproductive to put an end to such business partnerships, especially if they've been fruitful and productive for years, the availability of new services and functionality has effectively eliminated the middleman in many cases.

A Need for Enhanced Security

Whereas reliability used to top of the list of the biggest concerns of cloud computing, an increasing number of cyber attacks has shifted that concern. As expected, most consumers are now worried about the security of their cloud data.

Luckily, some of the biggest names in the industry are already hard at work in order to refine cloud security and increase your data's integrity within cloud-based servers. The expert team with Intel IT is already exploring methods in data anonymization, which uses a hybrid cloud model to conceal classified or sensitive data. Although Intel admits that it is impossible to achieve 100% security on the cloud, their recent efforts have already shown some potential.

Cloud Computing 2016 and Beyond

While it's anybody's guess as to what the future has in store for cloud computing, it's safe to say that the technology is here to stay. As such, those who expect to stay up-to-date with technology and innovation will have no other choice than to add cloud computing to their master list of core competencies.