Lockheed Martin Cyber Security Alliance Study Finds Increase in Government Adoption of Cloud Computing, Despite Security Concerns

IT decision-makers more familiar with cloud computing are more than twice as likely to trust it

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Jun 22, 2011, 10:27 ET

GAITHERSBURG, Md., June 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and its Cyber Security Alliance partners today released a study revealing security remains the single biggest concern on the minds of government information technology decision-makers when it comes to cloud computing. Despite these security concerns, 50% are now considering cloud applications for their agencies, versus only 12% a year ago.

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Two-thirds of participants cited security as the most important element in their evaluations. At the same time, those more familiar with cloud computing are more than twice as likely to trust it, 57 percent versus 24 percent. Concerns about security are not the only obstacle holding back federal agencies from moving to the cloud. At least three-quarters of participants identified dependability, availability, and the ability to continue using existing applications as elements that cloud-based solutions must address. Meanwhile, more than one-quarter of participants identified mission-critical data management, procurement, and financial management systems as applications they would never consider moving to the cloud.

The study funded by the Lockheed Martin Cyber Security Alliance and conducted by Market Connections, included in-depth interviews and an online survey. It explored comfort levels, cloud engagement, elements of importance and plans for cloud application migration among U.S. federal government, defense/military, and intelligence agency technology decision-makers and IT contractors serving the federal government. Study findings reflect input from 196 participants from all military branches and a variety of federal civilian agencies.

Lockheed Martin and Market Connections will present the study results in a webinar today, June 22 at 12 noon EDT. Speakers will share best practices, illustrated by case studies, to help develop cloud implementation and migration plans. Speakers include:

Robert Bohn, Architecture/Taxonomy Lead for the NIST Cloud Computing Program
Curt Aubley, Vice President, Cyber Security & NexGen Innovation, Lockheed Martin IS&GS
Cynthia Poole, Director, Research Services, Market Connections

Webinar details and registration

The Lockheed Martin Cyber Security Alliance combines the strengths of market leading companies' solutions and integrates their best practices, hardware, software, and tools within a unique new research, development and collaboration center called the NexGen Cyber Innovation and Technology Center. The alliance companies include: APC by Schneider Electric, ArcSight, CA, Cisco, Dell, EMC Corporation and its RSA security division, HP, Intel, Juniper Networks, McAfee, Microsoft, NetApp, Symantec, Trustwave and VMware.

Lockheed Martin's Curt Aubley, Vice President for Cyber Security and NexGen innovation, said

"The government is making strides in transitioning to the cloud and we believe an intelligence driven cyber security approach, and asking the penetrating questions regarding cloud governance, availability, and reliability are key to prudent adoption." He continued "Security concerns are the single biggest reason agencies cite for their slow adoption of cloud. There's a lot of hype in the industry. Our NexGen cyber center and cyber security alliance afford our customers the ability to demonstrate and test-drive exactly how to address these challenges. Drive before your buy."

Cynthia Poole, research director at Market Connections, said "One major takeaway is that nearly one-third of participants agreed that cloud-based computing is a good solution for all data and applications, which indicates that if security concerns can be addressed successfully, the cloud would be embraced wholeheartedly by a number of agencies."

About Lockheed Martin Corporation

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 126,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's 2010 sales from continuing operations were $45.8 billion.