Three Major Predictions for Cloud Computing in 2014

Five years ago, cloud computing was in debate for inaccuracy, weaker security, difficult accessibility, and insufficient user control features. But with the advent of technology, millions of users have accepted the online storage platform and has also started using it a trusted storage house. Most of the users now rely on cloud storage platforms for saving all their important documents, files, and folders that are required to be accessed anytime and from anywhere. Cloud computing makes data storage available to multiple end users, rather than making it available to the ones connected over a local network. Making the stored data viewable by many people simultaneously, the platform is faster, more flexible, and more efficient than saving files on computer’s hard-drive.

As the cloud is expanding at a rapid pace by accommodating so many new features and technology, here are three important predictions about the budding technology’s effect in 2014.

1. Better and enhanced security

Cloud storage has always been criticized on one common feature every year and that is its security and privacy factors. The issue of security has dropped such a negative impact on the user’s mind that nowadays everyone is afraid of using the platform for the sake of their personal security. Since the recent update talks about the government’s access to cloud provider networks, automated security features will now be added to such platforms.

The updated technology will allow management of own encryption keys, and other security parameters that might add to the security layers of the platform. In 2014, the introduction of hybrid cloud is also expected on a greater extent. Using the new technology companies will seek storage providers that guarantee combined security to both private and public cloud services. Forrester Research portrayed that big technology giants like HP, Cisco, VMware and IBM will acquire encrypting start-ups companies to ensure optimal security of data before it goes to the cloud.

2. Increase in Cloud for small to mid-sized businesses

According to the reports published by Forrester Research, the predictions state that the IT industry will experience a 20 % growth in small and mid-sized businesses spending on cloud solutions, during the next five years. A recent study conducted by Microsoft also predicts that the small and mid-sized businesses are now relying on the security benefits that cloud solutions have provided and are ready to invest in it. These companies believe that using a cloud storage platform makes them ready for funding new activities by utilizing the time and cost savings, resulted by using the cloud. Adoption of the cloud by larger enterprises has put a positive impact on smaller businesses thus, they are also getting engaged in opting for the same to keep up with the big leagues.

3. Evolution of Hybrid clouds on a greater extent

You must have heard about the term ‘hybrid cloud’ in the recent past, but the predictions for 2014 report it to be evolved on a greater extent. Featuring the combination of both private and public cloud services, Gartner, an Analyst house said in its reports that half of major enterprises will deploy hybrid cloud solutions by 2017. Establishing a link between the business houses and regular users, the company stated that it is recommended that chief executives should start adopting the hybrid cloud now. This in turn, will allow the students to take a competitive advantage of hybrid cloud services when exploring internships and careers.

Since technology is evolving at a faster rate, the tech solutions made available by the technology giants should also be in compliance to the same. The changes that are predicted by various research organization and business groups are expected to be there in order to support the technology that is improving on a daily basis. A cloud supported with extra security features, added tools, high-end protection from outside threats, better encryption techniques, and other features will surely make the cloud storage experience better and more reliable for individual users as well as enterprises. Hence, wait for the companies and cloud to evolve at a rapid rate and experience the change!