To explain such different perceptions about the security impact of virtualization and cloud computing, Matthew Steele, Symantec director of strategic technology, said the best way to understand these answers is to know that "if they had a real security background, they immediately got concerned. But if they care for IT operations, they were thinking about it from an IT optimization standpoint." And the middle-of-the-road responses -- it's all "more of less the same" -- tended to originate from those with budget responsibilities. "If the business is still moving, things are OK," Steele remarked.

Although endpoint virtualization is widely believed to trail server-based virtualization, 8% of the survey's respondents said they had implemented the former, 16% were in the course of implementing it, 9% were in a "trial stage," 26% had plans for it and 25% were in "early discussion," whereas 16% weren't considering it.

And on the question of whether endpoint virtualization makes it "easier or harder to do your job with regards to network security," the opinion was divided, with about a third each way thinking it's "easier," "harder" or about the same.

More: http://www.cio.com/article/551069/Security_of_Virtualization_Cloud_Computing_Divides_IT_and_Security_Pros?source=helpmyos.com

Tags: Security, virtualization, cloud computing, networking, it, professionals