A study undertaken by AFCOM, titled The State of the Data Center, reveals that cloud computing has increased in popularity among data center managers. The survey gathered information from 358 data center managers out of which over 36.6 percent have already adopted cloud computing technology and 35.1 percent are seriously considering it. The same study carried out in 2010 reveals a percentage of 14.9 of data center managers that implemented cloud computing in their businesses. The numbers of [soon-to-be] cloud computing adopters are increasing, and by 2016 between 80 and 90 percent of data centers will have some form of cloud computing.

“In an environment where change is an accepted part of day-to-day life, it is important to recognize how data center managers are adapting to the new technologies and directions emerging in the industry,” said Jill Yaoz, CEO, AFCOM.

“One of the most interesting changes our survey illustrates is the continued transition to the cloud. When we last did this survey in October 2009, very few data centers were even interested in the cloud, let alone actually adapting it. However, thanks to information such as the Data Center Institute’s ‘Guide to the Cloud’ report, now we see that data center managers are more familiar with the risks and concepts, and cloud computing is quickly becoming a new standard of operation.”

Regarding the challenges posed by economic and technological changes nowadays, and the adaption of data centers to these modification, 44.2 percent of respondents stated that their facilities have more floor space than three years ago and 3.9 percent of respondents have implemented solar power at their data centers, revealing that the green trend of sustainable and renewable energy is still present. Measurements for reducing energy consumptions are very important as they considerably minimize costs.

Towards web applications, 86.6 percent stressed out an increase in web apps in comparison to three years ago, out of which 59.7 percent of respondents have security policies written for online and mobile apps and 43.1 percent have social networking policies. The most compelling aspect of the study involves security in the cloud at different levels. Although 25 percent of data centers have implemented biometric screening for authorization and access, disaster management plans are not worked up yet.

“When it comes to disaster recovery, the survey results are indicative of the investment activity we have seen in data centers throughout the recession—focus on immediate needs with business continuity and disaster recovery planning considered a luxury,” said Richard Sawyer, Worldwide Practice Leader, Critical Facilities Assurance at HP Critical Facility Services, and member of the Data Center Institute Board of Directors. “But now, with the regional disasters in Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, and the turmoil in the Middle East, we are reminded it is a management necessity to be prepared for anything.”

Translating this into figures gathered by the AFCOM survey, more than 15 percent of respondents said their data center has no plan for data backup and recovery; 50 percent have no plan to replace damaged equipment after a disaster; about 65 percent have no plan or procedure to deal with cyber-criminals.

Whereas some struggle to set up disaster management solutions and innovative tools for data recovery, companies like FalconStor provide solutions.  They’ve recently improved the FalconStor Continuous Data Protector service by adding RecoverTrac. The new feature offers DR automation for physical and virtual environments, by replicating data, facilitating service-oriented data protection with automated server resumption. For a more comprehensive view on new models of data backup, watch this video from the Wikibon Peer Incite Research Meeting.