Federal Agencies want to double their use of the cloud, but a new report by MeriTalk, a public-private partnership focused on improving government IT outcomes, finds 89 percent of Federal IT professionals are apprehensive on migrating to the cloud.

“Cloud Control:  Moving to the Comfort Zone,” was underwritten by NetApp and Arrow.

Migrating to the cloud does aid federal agencies with such things as improved agility, less IT complexity, and greater collaboration through shared services, however, concerns about data stewardship can slow or halt migrations, MeriTalk said.

While only 44 percent of agencies have mature data governance practices in the cloud, 56 percent are currently in the process of implementing data stewardship or a more formal data governance program for their cloud services or vendors. Those actively improving these programs are more likely to be comfortable turning over their IT services to cloud vendors by a 53-32 percent margin.

Fifty-five percent of federal IT professionals say that cloud makes data management/stewardship easier, noting easier upgrades and configuration management, stronger virtual staff support, faster data access, and system monitoring as key benefits.

But federal agencies can do more, the study said. Sixty-one percent of respondents note that their agencies do not have quality, documented metadata. Fifty-two percent do not have well-understood data integration, 50 percent have not defined/identified data owners, and 49 percent do not have known systems of record.

Additionally, many agencies face roadblocks associated with managing cloud services and vendors, citing remediation for data exceptions, data integration, and collaboration/interoperability as their top challenges. And while 54 percent of respondents cite security as their top concern, only one in five feels that the security offered by their cloud vendors is completely sufficient.

“The benefits cloud offers are immense, but with the introduction of new hybrid cloud architectures, data stewardship becomes even more complex, as data must be managed and accessed across any cloud,” said Kirk Kern, chief technology officer, NetApp U.S. Public Sector.  “Federal agencies must establish enterprise-wide governance practices, while deploying solutions that streamline data mobility and stewardship across cloud models.  Cloud consumers must develop data management processes and role-based control mechanisms to ensure success.”

iStock Cyber LockNearly nine out of 10, or 89 percent,of agencies have taken steps to manage trust with their cloud vendors. Forty-two percent keep security functions on the premises; 41 percent require certification of security measures taken; and 39 percent require that data resides on dedicated server, storage, and network infrastructure. Additionally, those who use or plan to use a cloud brokerage service are significantly more comfortable turning their agency’s IT services and applications over to cloud providers–62 percent–than those who do not–32 percent.

“Federal end users are looking to the cloud for options that are faster, safer, and a better value than traditional IT,” said Dee Dee Lear, vice president, cloud and business development, Arrow ECS. “To get more comfortable with the transition, agencies should seek out partners that offer best of breed IT services and focus on government data security for a proven path to cloud success.”

Stephen O’Keeffe, founder, MeriTalk, said: “Why are grown adults afraid of the dark? Cloud solution providers need to turn on the lights so Feds can see if there are monsters behind the door and under the bed!”

The report is based on an online survey conducted in June 2014 of 153 federal IT professionals who have implemented cloud computing as part of their IT strategy. The report has a margin error of ±7.89 at a 95% confidence level. The report is available at : www.meritalk.com/cloudcontrol.