Cloud Computing Security Boosts Productivity, Cuts Worrry, Study Shows

Small and midsize businesses using the cloud waste less time and money, a recent Microsoft research shows. According to the study conducted in five U.S. areas, these companies gain significant security benefits, including increased protection against e-threats.

The study shows that 35 percent of American companies have experienced higher levels of security since moving to the cloud. In addition, 32 percent spend less time worrying about cyber-attacks. Small and midsize businesses are also more likely to have reduced the overall budget for security after adapting to the cloud.

“There’s a perception that security is a barrier to cloud adoption,” said Adrienne Hall, general manager, Microsoft Trustworthy Computing. “Yet when companies embrace and invest in cloud services, they find the benefits far outweigh previous concerns.”

Cloud computing also helps place businesses better on the market, the survey showed. More than half the companies said the cloud made them add beneficial products and services more quickly and securely. Also, 42 percent said the cloud made it easier for them to scale their business to explore new markets.

In the research, cloud users were defined as companies that used a cloud service via a subscription model.