UK firms prioritise private cloud over public cloud

Almost half of businesses say they're going to invest in the cloud in 2018, with a quarter opting for private cloud services, versus 21% of businesses that will use public cloud services.

Business internet provider Beaming's study found that those companies choosing to implement private cloud will do so to guarantee the highest levels of security, although increased investment in cybersecurity will also be a running theme in enterprise investment throughout the year.

Large companies are most likely to opt for services run by AWS, Google and Microsoft Azure, with 10% of businesses explaining that co-location will be a cloud priority in 2018, Beaming's research - based on interviews with 514 UK business leaders about their IT spending plans for the coming year - found.

In terms of security, Beaming explained 49% of businesses wish to up their security spending over the next 12 months, presumably to support their cloud efforts and protect themselves against network-based attacks.

The greatest investment will be in antivirus and malware detection software, with 23% of businesses saying they'll splurge in that area, compared to 15% that want to spend on network perimeter firewalls and 14% implementing improved network access controls such as two-factor authentication.

The move towards cloud computing will also take its toll on business networks and as a result, organisations will need to seriously consider their investment in connectivity. Beaming found that 39% of businesses will ramp up their spending on their networks this year, with 27% of medium and 31% large companies investing in fibre ethernet lines. 

"The growing number of cyber attacks and high profile data breaches have not deterred companies from doing more and more business online, but they have become more cautious," Sonia Blizzard, managing director of Beaming, said. 

"Businesses today rely on the internet, they want to maximise the cost, convenience and productivity gains it enables, and have recognised that they need rock solid systems and connectivity to do so with confidence."