Data concerns hold back Web 2.0 adoption

B2B uptake of Web 2.0 apps like wikis and blogs is still being thwarted by perceived risks to critical data, according to a new study.

KPMG and the Economist Intelligence Unit surveyed 472 executives worldwide and found security and governance issues were the main barrier to adoption of Web 2.0 tools.

Echoing similar recent surveys, many respondents believed they could help their organisations but were worried about the need to protect data and measure their benefits.

The study found:

• 70% of respondents believed Web 2.0 tools would help employees work more efficiently.
• 75% thought they would foster innovation.
• 86% felt they would improve knowledge sharing.

However...

• Over half said the main barrier to adoption was the need to secure critical data.
• A third said they did not know how to measure the impact of Web 2.0 technologies.
• 45% admitted to a lack of understanding about how Web 2.0 related to their businesses.
• Fewer than half said they were putting in place governance programmes to protect data.
• Only 28% had included Web 2.0 tools in their risk management processes.
• Tech and financial services companies were the most aware of perceived Web 2.0 risks, with over half of respondents in those fields saying their employers had implemented policies to protect digital content from unauthorised access.
• Only just over a third of entertainment, media, publishing and communications companies had done the same thing.

Crispin O'Brien, chairman of technology, KPMG said:

"Web 2.0 is not just about novel consumer technology - there are real business benefits to be derived from enabling more effective knowledge sharing and collaboration among employees.

“The challenge for the technology industry is to communicate these benefits to customers effectively and address the concerns that remain around security and relevance to different industries."

Related stories:
Web 2.0 still dumbfounds senior execs
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