While not many doubt that cloud computing can provide cost savings, flexibility and efficiency, many are still concerned at the level of security. However, James Staten, vice president and principal analyst at Forrester Research, told a group at Autodesk University that the cloud is more secure than most people think, according to GreenBiz.

He told the crowd that businesses using the cloud have to share responsibility in security, as the platform "is an uneven handshake." Users should manage points of access and make sure they know when access is lifted.

"If you're Coke and in the cloud, Pepsi can be right next door," said Staten, illustrating why cloud computing businesses need to take into account who can receive access to the cloud.

Ponemon Institute's Security of Cloud Computing Providers study showed that 52 percent of organizations rated their organization's management of the cloud as fair or poor, while another 21 percent had no comment. David Linthicum writes on InfoWorld that businesses cannot treat cloud computing security as an afterthought and must view it as a priority.