Report: Cloud computing to become mainstream technology in next few years

A recent report from the International Data Corporation, a research firm, found cloud computing will experience an annual compound of nearly 45.5 percent between now and 2015. Further, IDC believes cloud computing sales will reach their "tipping point" during this stretch, with the market reaching $2.5 billion. 

"As customers begin to recognize the economic and performance benefits of cloud technologies, there will be a significant shift from targeted, pilot implementations to broader production uses," said Mary Johnston Turner, IDC's research director for enterprise system management software.

IDC forecasts cloud customers will begin managing a hybrid mix of private and clouds as well as non-cloud IT resources during the next four years.

Many companies and organizations remain skeptical of the cloud due to security concerns; however, the NIST recently released two documents that defined and set security guidelines for the managed IT services technology. These documents were in response to federal chief information officer Vivek Kundra's request and aim to take large strides toward calming this prevalent skepticism.