Symantec’s 2011 Small Business Virtualization Poll examines the adoption of virtualization within small businesses and its impact on their organizations. According to the survey, small businesses have a strong interest in virtualization, but are still learning how to adopt it in their organizations. As they implement server virtualization, small businesses are putting their data at risk. The survey found that most small businesses aren’t taking the most basic steps to secure and protect their virtual environments. The survey is based on 658 respondents in 28 countries worldwide.

1. Small Business Virtualization Poll
Global Key Findings

2. Methodology
• Survey Performed by Applied Research
• 658 organizations worldwide
• Small businesses (5 – 249 employees)
• Person in charge of computing resources
• Cross-industry
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3. Key Findings
• Small businesses have a strong interest
in virtualization
• Small businesses are still grappling with
how to adopt virtualization
• Due to the immaturity of this
market, small businesses are neglecting
to protect their data and systems in
virtual environments.
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4. Strong Interest in Virtualization
• 70% considering server virtualization
• Top reasons:
– Reduce CapEx (70%)
– Reduce OpEx (68%)
– Less servers for same
number of applications (67%)
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5. Still Early Days…
• Only 10% have completed
implementation to date
• Only 37% of productivity
apps are being virtualized
• Only 24% of business-critical
apps are being virtualized
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6. Therefore, Still Learning How to Adopt
Top three challenges
• Performance
• Backup
• Security & patch management
More than half rely on third-party help
• Vendor professional service organization
• Systems Integrator
• Consultant
• VAR
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7. Neglecting Protection of Data and Systems
Infrequent backups
• Only 15% always back up
• 23% never or have spotty backup
Why?
• Staffing issues (23%)
• Budget issues (53%)
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8. Neglecting Protection of Data and Systems
Incomplete security practices
• On average, only 40% are
completely secured
• 20% are completely or somewhat unsecured
Why?
• Staffing issues (35%)
• Budget issues (49%)
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9. Neglecting Protection of Data and Systems
• Even for those somewhat or completely secured, safeguards are uneven
• 74% forego endpoint protection
• 48% don’t have a firewall
• 78% don’t use antivirus
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10. Symantec Recommendations
• Define a virtualization strategy
• Secure your virtual environments
• Protect your data
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