Download the 2011 Study Results White Paper

Getting Secure in the Cloud

 

Lockheed Martin wanted to establish its Cyber Security Alliance as a thought leader in cloud computing and cyber security, while measuring perceptions of the company and other cyber security solution providers.

Market Connections conducted an independent study of U.S. government federal civilian, defense, military and intelligence agency IT decision makers to evaluate awareness and attitudes around cloud computing and cyber security.

Together, Lockheed Martin and Market Connections presented the findings to the media and government agency decision-makers on behalf of the 14 Cyber Security Alliance partners through a custom white paper and related webinar.

Key Findings

The study revealed that understanding of cloud computing is not widespread
among professionals who will implement, use, secure and manage cloud
computing, even though it is being touted as a leading IT trend.

Study findings illustrate there is a lack of consensus about the definitions of cyber security and cloud computing among IT professionals. Implementation and management of cloud computing platforms within federal agencies will require crossfunctional discussion between IT policy and implementation professionals.

The study revealed that understanding of cloud computing is not widespread among professionals who will implement, use, secure and manage cloud computing, even though it is being touted as a leading IT trend. Study findings illustrate there is a lack of consensus about the definitions of cyber security and cloud computing among IT professionals.

Implementation and management of cloud computing platforms within federal agencies will require crossfunctional discussion between IT policy and implementation professionals.

Survey Insights

Cloud computing has low levels of awareness, trust and adoption among IT decision makers in the U.S. defense/military and federal government. Even professionals familiar with cloud computing, who may be responsible for securing enterprise systems and information, lack awareness and trust.

• Government agencies value control and access, regardless of whether the cloud offering is public or private.
• While cloud adoption is expected to grow, respondents' inexperience with cloud computing, security concerns and uncertainty about governance could make it difficult for organizations to effectively implement cloud computing or realize full value from it.
• Although survey data reflect barriers to adoption of cloud, adoption rates and user experiences show that barriers can be overcome. For example, respondents who know cloud computing best trust it most; those familiar with cloud computing tend to implement it; and those who implement cloud computing expand their use by accessing multiple applications through the cloud.

Results

Lockheed Martin's Information Systems & Global Solutions (IS&GS) communications team and Cyber Security Alliance leveraged the research findings and white paper to strategically position the Alliance as a leader in cyber security solutions. Outcomes included:

• Media hits in leading government-focused technology publications such as Government Computer News, Federal News Radio Fed Cloud Blog, GovConWire, GovCon Exec, and Fox News Radio. Media tracking showed high levels of visibility and engagement with the white paper showcasing research findings.
• 87 webinar attendees
• More than 726,000 online impressions delivering more than 700 postwebinar downloads