The Shifting Role Of IT In Cloud Computing

Grazed from CloudTweaks. Author: John Omwamba.

The line between cloud computing and information technology is hazy, but it is always safe to say that they complement each other, with cloud computing representing the latest paradigm for remodeling IT services. There are very clear roles of IT in cloud computing technology, which can yield greater business benefits if well harnessed.

On one hand, IT is playing a big role in proactive management of new acquisitions, financial trade-offs, and security challenges of cloud-based services. This means that the role of IT has changed from the traditional owner and operator of IT infrastructure to a more managerial one—managing the IT supply chain. IT systems now manage more complex, multi-platform internal and external services, with CIOs being tasked with redefining the value of IT to the business. This shift presents exciting new opportunities for IT professionals to expand their skill sets and become strategic advisers to businesses…

The majority of the tasks that are traditionally performed manually by network administrators have been automated by cloud-computing outsourced services, e.g., sets of web services. These IT personnel now spend more time in vendor management, forming an all-important conduit between cloud-based service providers and their users. This means that the IT role in cloud computing can be harnessed to inspire innovations and new models.

The ‘self-service’ feature of cloud-based services, on the other hand, will alter the way administrators and users interact with data centers, raising the need for different administrative structures and IT leadership. For example, new titles will come up that may include positions such as cloud architect, cloud service manager, cloud integration specialist/expert, cloud security manager/engineer, among others. These are administrative structures that may be fashioned right off IT roles and challenge cloud computing for the better. IT has already gained the role of mitigating cloud computing challenges faced in areas like defense and sensitive programs like security domains and nuclear concerns.

IT notwithstanding, cloud computing is still new, yet is gaining popularity and widespread use with countless issues and questions yet to be satisfied by the service providers, users, governments, and other industry regulators. But this scenario makes it even better for IT because it can easily provide a framework in formulation of policies, regulations, and recommendations on the parameters of cloud-based resources.