The business benefits of using cloud computing and associated security concerns and some key risks to look out for in adoption scenarios were discussed at a seminar hosted by KPMG in Bahrain.

The seminar, held at the Sheraton Hotel, was opened by KPMG in Bahrain partner Narayanan Ramachandran, according to a report in the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

It included an introduction by KPMG in Bahrain IT advisory partner Jeroen Menting, and a briefing from KPMG in the Nether-lands' Mike Chung, an expert on cloud computing and security.

More than 50 chief executives, chief information officers and heads of IT from leading organisations in Bahrain attended.

The seminar discussed the business benefits of using cloud computing, the real security issues in the cloud, the strategies for addressing these issues and governance issues using cloud services.

Menting said the cloud can significantly impact how any organisation conducts its business.

"Cloud services will provide businesses in Bahrain with increased agility, greater flexibility and faster results at a reduced cost," he said.

"In order to reap the full benefits of cloud adoption, the organisations in the region must transform their business processes, to realise the longer term strategic business objectives.

"There is no longer any doubt that, as a critical set of enabling technologies, the cloud can significantly impact how any organisation conducts its business," he added.

The seminar discussed myths and realities of security matters in using cloud services and how to address risks and establish governance. – TradeArabia News Service