Cloud storage can be 'safer than your desktop'

The use of cloud computing service providers to store a business's data can be safer than keeping it in-house, it has been claimed.

According to Eran Feigenbaum, director of security for Google Apps, data storage and managed hosting service providers have some of the best IT security specialists on their books and are often tasked with safeguarding thousands of pieces of sensitive information.

He also claimed that because of their specialisation in the sector, the can offer their services cheaper than building something from scratch as they benefit from economies of scale.

Mr Feigenbaum said: "Most organisations take 30 to 60 days to install security patches on their systems, which is a major concern in its own right.

"This means that traditional IT systems and applications are open to known security vulnerabilities for a very long time."

Meanwhile, Bob Tarzey, IT expert for Quocirca, said that in-house web hosting hardware is often older and less efficient than the technology used by specialist hosting services providers.

Written by Tim Dunton