Companies failing on cloud computing governance

Ovum said that firms overlook cloud governance at their cost

Enterprises need to improve their approach to cloud computing governance, according to a new report from Ovum.

The analyst firm said that a failure to properly implement governance for cloud applications could cause harm in the long run, and that companies are often too reactive, overly reliant on technology, and piecemeal in their approach.

Ovum explained that cloud governance is "suffering from the same flaws affecting other IT governance areas", and recommended that firms act now to prevent the disruptive effects of an ad-hoc response.

"Most IT governance efforts are prompted by new regulations or by the need to keep up with uncontrolled service-oriented architecture software services, virtual machines or public cloud services, whereby governance starts when the public cloud bill is much higher than expected," said Laurent Lachal, Ovum senior analyst and report author.

Reacting after the fact proves that enterprises are managing their arrangements poorly, according to Lachal.

"Despite growing interest in IT transitioning from managing technology to providing technology as a service, neither business nor IT executives have been particularly proactive in managing the various changes that such a transition requires at all levels," he said.

Cloud computing brings a layer of complexity that needs careful management if companies are to capitalise on their investments, Lachal explained.

"Cloud governance is not just about control and keeping an eye on individuals to make sure that they behave as expected. It should also be about empowerment based on a realignment of objectives and incentives to encourage behavioural change," he said.