A recent survey conducted by Managed Service Provider (MSP) Annodata, has revealed that security is still the biggest concern when it comes to cloud use among public sector organisations, despite smarter technology making data more secure than ever.

The research, which surveyed 100 UK IT decision-makers from the public sector, found that security is still a major concern among 63 per cent of public sector organisations. However, recent statistics from the Cloud Industry Forum (CIF) demonstrate that perceptions around cloud security do not necessarily match reality, with only 2 per cent of organisations in its research stating that they had experienced a breach of security when using a cloud service.

Joe Doyle, Marketing Director at Annodata commented, “public sector organisations have understandable apprehensions when it comes to cloud usage due to the heavily scrutinised arena in which they operate. They need to maintain strict control over sensitive data, this is even more heightened now due to the upcoming General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Security should remain a priority for public sector organisations but this should not hinder cloud adoption.

“Smarter technology now means that data and documents can be more secure than ever, especially when document management involves best-in-breed software and bespoke applications that prevent unauthorised access, limit device access to particular users and department and clearly identify users.

“Public sector organisations can partner securely and effectively with a provider that best reflects their interest through an awareness of data back-up, access restrictions and other characteristics of the service offering. By embracing cloud technologies, these organisations can boost productivity, reduce costs and streamline their entire operations.”