The Problem with the Human Cloud

Last month I vented about why IT Services companies weren’t taking the lead on the Human Cloud.

I met an executive at a leading offshore company recently who explained why this was so. In the past few years, clients have become paranoid about information security. Well publicized leaks of customer data and a growing share of BPO is driving some of this. Cross company collaboration requires easier access to tools for sharing. Services companies are going the other way on information security. Employees’ internet access is heavily curtailed. Computers don’t have USB ports. And so on.

Not all clients are equally paranoid. But the service provider’s internal policy and infrastructure must support the most paranoid customer. Therein lies the problem.