Cloud computing is becoming more and more prevalent in the economy

According to the study by the high-tech association Bitkom and the auditing firm KPMG, 29 percent were planning to use cloud computing or were discussing it. For one third of the companies surveyed, cloud computing was not an issue.

"Cloud computing brings tangible benefits to businesses: they get better IT services at a lower cost"

says Bitkom President Dieter Kempf at the presentation of the "Cloud Monitor 2013".

The pioneer in the use of the technology is the ICT sector itself with a share of 65 percent, followed by transport and logistics with 44 percent and chemicals and pharmaceuticals with 42 percent.

The retail sector only accounts for 28 percent, but is still ahead of the automotive industry with 27 percent. The vast majority of cloud users rely on internal private clouds. Data security and user trust were among the greatest values of a cloud provider.

The expertise in this area is correspondingly high. 51 percent of cloud skeptics cite concerns about a loss of know-how in the IT sector and 49 percent legal concerns as further reasons. Bitkom believes that the environment for cloud computing should be improved.

"When it comes to data protection, the new EU regulation presents an opportunity to create uniform rules within the European Economic Area"

Kempf said.

In addition, it must be clarified with countries such as the USA under which conditions security authorities may access data from the cloud, for example for the purpose of countering terrorism.