Over the past couple of years, Cloud computing has taken a clear and definitive foothold in the corporate space. The trend has hastened in 2012, although the precedent of widespread adoption may have been a bit short-lived.

As the previously swiftly growing trend begins to wane, analysts are discovering that businesses, especially those at the enterprise level, are taking the pace a bit slower now. There are a handful of reasons for the more cautious approach, but among those reasons, three in particular seem to stand out.

Whether you're eyeing the Cloud as an FTP Replacement for your file sharing or an ultra-accessible collaboration tool, we’ll explain what those barriers are and how you can overcome them to stay on track toward your ambitions to leverage the benefits of the Cloud.

The first issue that comes up at the forefront with business owners is security. The sensitivity and importance of a company’s data is often placed at the highest regard, and rightly so. But the fears associated with poor security in the Cloud, including news-worthy scares of isolated incidents of breaches and hacking, are largely unfounded. On the contrary, a company is usually better off in terms of security with a Cloud-based system.

The best tool for overcoming security fears related to the Cloud is education and awareness. Your CIO or IT department management will play a key role in assessing the security threats associated with moving data to the Cloud. Learning about the systems, the way data is stored and moved, and gleaning a clear understanding of the security measures in place will put these fears to rest.

Establish policies early on to address any vulnerabilities that seem to stand out. Furthermore, it’s best to abandon the myth that having data in close proximity makes it any more secure. In actuality, the Cloud servers at your local datacenter are much better equipped to protect your digital assets than in your local office.

Another prominent obstacle that seems to loom over any efforts to pursue Cloud computing is the cost. Not only does the Cloud hardware and services seem expensive, but the technology changes, infrastructure overhaul, IT personnel, software cost and maintenance costs seem to crash together in a nightmarish scenario with an outrageous price tag. In truth, however, the costs are minimal and the returns are great.

If your firm is concerned about the costs, the best method might be to outsource your technology. Partnering with an IT services provider will put all of the needed assets in one accessible place, on the shoulders of the tech vendor. Furthermore, they have the expertise and experience not only to complete the Cloud migration without a hitch, but to transform your technologies from a cost center into a revenue generating asset. You’ll spend less overall and they will assist in reducing your IT spend. In the long run, your returns will overshadow the initial expense, and you’ll be free to focus on the core business.

The final primary reason that businesses have been reluctant to make the jump to the Cloud is the knowledge gap. Executives worry that the staff and users of the Cloud services within the firm won’t adapt quickly enough or the learning curve will prove too counterproductive. They may have these concerns even for themselves if they aren’t as technologically savvy. Extra training, new procedures and the fear of a deluge of errors and mistakes are enough to put the brakes on a move to the Cloud.

But there’s no reason to abandon a Cloud-bound journey on the basis of such a knowledge gap. The solution to this barrier is two-fold: First, it is imperative to plan carefully for which Cloud services are needed and provide the most value. Don’t adopt anything that isn’t necessary. By keeping the selection of Cloud services precise and goal-oriented with the benefits in mind, you’ll reduce unnecessary headaches and make the transition easier on everyone.

Secondly, most Cloud service providers offer extensive, in-depth training services, learning resources and expert support. Tap into those offerings right away, and find out ahead of time how much support is available. In this manner, you don’t have to sacrifice a robust Cloud service for the sake of usability. You can get exactly what you need, even if it’s complex, and the knowledge gap can still be quickly closed.