CIOs given wrong advice on cloud deployments

Confusing, biased or incorrect advice from suppliers has resulted in failed or stalled cloud programmes at 28 percent of UK organisations, according research.

In light of the findings, CIOs should review their due-diligence when choosing partners to make sure they are getting the right cloud services and advice, says hosting firm The Bunker, which carried out the research.

The research found that 70 percent of companies had experienced some level of cloud programme failure, preventing them from achieving their business goals. Over two-thirds (67 percent) of respondents said they had sought advice from external consultants and 61 percent from their key suppliers.

Phil Bindley, CTO at The Bunker, said: “Our research shows that most organisations are looking to external sources for guidance on how to design, deploy and integrate a range of services into a hybrid infrastructure.

“However, too often the confidence in these sources is misplaced. When you look at the significance of technology to business success and growing regulatory demands on organisations from the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), for instance, this is a real weakness in strategy.”

Deploying a mixture of in-house and outsourced IT infrastructure using the cloud is the ideal model for IT service delivery according to 55 percent of respondents in the research, so it is “inevitable” that suppliers will form a key part of any future IT delivery strategy, said Bindley.

Taking a hybrid approach to IT is seen as the most effective way of getting the best return on investment, but only if it is done carefully, working with partners with the right skills and experience.

Proper due-diligence on accreditations, including information security management (ISO 27001), business continuity management (ISO 22301) and payment security standards (PCI DSS v3.1), when appropriate, as well as seeing evidence of migration and integration experience, are essential when choosing a cloud provider.

Bindley said: “Cloud is complex, especially when it comes to hybrid because different cloud providers will potentially need to integrate their services with other providers as well as legacy systems to ensure a seamless experience for end users.

“Many IT leaders are challenged because they lack previous experience in bringing the cloud into their organisation and there are many providers that are poor when it comes to effective delivery.”

The research surveyed IT leaders at 100 mid-market and large UK organisations.

@AntonySavvas