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Joint techUK/FSB event brought cloud and cyber security providers together with SMEs to address the security and trust concerns regarding the cloud.

On Monday 26 October techUK and the Federation of Small Business (FSB) held a joint event focusing on the benefits and opportunities for SMEs from Cloud Computing. This event was an opportunity for FSB companies and members of techUK's Cloud and Mobile Services and Cyber Security work programmes to come together and begin to address the security and trust concerns regarding the cloud.

A recent FSB survey showed that despite small firms recognising the advantages of using cloud computing, such as increased workforce agility, reduced costs and easier scalability, SMEs remain concerned about the security of the cloud. Small businesses continue to be wary of transitioning to the cloud due to uncertainty about whether their data is secure and who will be liable if something goes wrong.

techUK brought together speakers from Symantec, SAP, Inuit, Lenovo, e2e Assure and Bird & Bird to provide FSB members with information on key cloud issues including data security and privacy. Through presentations and a series of afternoon breakout clinics the event enabled companies to learn more about the business benefits cloud computing can bring to UK SME's and provided advice on how some of the concerns raised by the FSB survey can be addressed. A range of subjects were discussed during the day and through the networking breaks including the real business benefits of the cloud, how data is secured in the cloud and legal issues relating to cloud adoption.

Sue Daley, head of Big Data, Cloud and Mobile reflects on the success of the Cloud Clinic:

"This is the first time that techUK and the FSB have held a joint event focusing on cloud computing and the feedback from the networking sessions before and long after the event ended it shows that there is a real interest from SME's around cloud computing. There is a great deal of importance in bringing together SME business leaders and cloud computing experts to raise awareness about how the security concerns that are preventing small businesses from taking full advantage of the cloud can be addressed."

Attendees at the event also had the opportunity to learn more about the European Cloud Scout tool: a free and easy to use tool for SME's. techUK is proud to support the European Cloud Scout which is a free, interactive, online questionnaire that can provide SMEs with tailored advice and tips on how to use cloud computing in a secure manner. Click here to find out more about Cloud Scout and watch a Cloud Scout video.