Small and medium businesses (SMBs) in India have benefited from cloud computing in managing securit y, said Microsoft in its latest study.

The survey, conducted between March-April, said more than two-thirds of cloud-using SMBs believed information technology cost savings is a primary benefit of cloud usage.

Cost saving

“SMBs in India that use the cloud felt two to three times more positive than non-cloud users regarding specific cloud service attributes like time and money savings, revenue enhancement, and quick and security-enhanced additions of products and services,” Mr Richard E Saunders, Director – Trustworthy Computing, Microsoft Ltd, told reporters.

The survey included 200 SMBs, of which around 50 per cent did not use cloud computing, he said.

Among cloud-using SMBs he said, 72 per cent said they spent less time managing security and 64 per cent saw improved security. Fifty-two per cent said they spent less time worrying about their company's susceptibility to cyber attacks and 49 per cent said it was easier to integrate systems.

However, 61 per cent of SMBs that do not use the cloud said they intend to transition to the cloud within the next 12 months, Mr Saunders said.

more confident

Also, 56 per cent of SMBs not currently using cloud services said industry security standards would help make them feel more confident about cloud security.

Findings from SMBs that have adopted the cloud suggest that such concerns could be overstated, he said.

Funded by Microsoft Trustworthy Computing, the survey was carried out by independent company comScore in five countries including the US, Singapore, India, Malaysia and Hong Kong.

It was conducted among 500 SMBs in these countries with 100-250 computers in each company.

> ronendrasingh.s@thehindu.co.in

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