Study: Vendors not concerned about cloud security

Much of the cloud's recent press has dealt with security concerns for the virtualized platform, leading many to believe that security is a large part of companies' cloud strategies. However, a new report reveals that this is not necessarily the case.

According to the Ponemon Institute, most major cloud developers devote less than 10 percent of their budgets to cloud security divisions.

These are the findings of its latest report, dubbed the Security of Cloud Computing Providers. Furthermore, a majority of respondents said they did not believe cloud security was a major concern.

The research firm says these findings may reflect a more product-centered view by cloud vendors. However, the company says it is not likely that security is barely a consideration at all. Instead, it favors a more collaborative approach that includes both users and developers.

"Cloud users and providers should consider the importance of working together to create a secure and less turbulent computing environment," Mike Denning, Computer Associates general manager, told Infosecurity.

According to Dr. Larry Ponemon, the president of the research firm that produced the study, the reason that vendors choose not to focus on cloud security may be rooted in market competition. He stated that only 19 percent of American cloud companies and 18 percent of European vendors responding to the survey believe that security represents a competitive advantage.