Event round-up: Move beyond migration - Unlocking the value of your data in the Cloud | techUK Data Strategies Series
On 24 Jan 2023, techUK continued its Data Strategies Series with a webinar exploring best practice for data strategies in cloud computing and how businesses are moving beyond ‘lift and shift’ to become truly cloud native.
The panel included:
- Carolyn Prior, UK&I Practice Leader Apps, Data & AI, Kyndryl UK
- Leigh Carpenter, Solutions Engineering Manager for Public Sector, NetApp UK
- David Price, Account Director, Rackspace Technology
- Shaun Cooney, Strategic Advisor - Technology & Innovation, Splunk
- Chris Hazell, Programme Manager for Cloud, Tech and Innovation, techUK (Chair)
You can watch the full webinar here, or read our summary of the key insights below:
Please note that the below is a summary of the event, and readers are encouraged to watch the webinar to understand the full details of the discussion.
The panel opened with a discussion of how managing data in the cloud differs from legacy infrastructure, the challenges that organisations can experience in transitioning to cloud, and the skills and culture needed to effectively manage data in the cloud.
Understanding what you are trying to achieve for the business and how data and cloud native tools can help you get there should be your initial question – start with asking why you are moving data to the cloud and how people and process can help you unlock additional value.
The discussion moved on to how a successful cloud data strategy can be achieved by looking at the individual business processes that create and use the data and thinking carefully about what to migrate to cloud, how, and when. The panel agreed that a rushed “lift and shift” will result in a costly replication of data silos and not deliver a strategy aligned to the broader objectives of the business.
Optimising applications and processes for the cloud environment and harnessing capabilities like automation was another key theme explored in this session. The panel agreed that having visibility of your data, breaking down silos, cleaning up your data and optimising for cost were key considerations for a successful cloud data strategy. The conversation concluded with a discussion of sustainability and cost optimisation.
“Data is everywhere … but it’s everywhere in silos, so how do you get the most from it?” – David Price, Rackspace Technology
Tess Buckley
Tess Buckley
Tess is the Programme Manager for Digital Ethics and AI Safety at techUK.
Prior to techUK Tess worked as an AI Ethics Analyst, which revolved around the first dataset on Corporate Digital Responsibility (CDR), and then later the development of a large language model focused on answering ESG questions for Chief Sustainability Officers. Alongside other responsibilities, she distributed the dataset on CDR to investors who wanted to further understand the digital risks of their portfolio, she drew narratives and patterns from the data, and collaborate with leading institutes to support academics in AI ethics. She has authored articles for outlets such as ESG Investor, Montreal AI Ethics Institute, The FinTech Times, and Finance Digest. Covered topics like CDR, AI ethics, and tech governance, leveraging company insights to contribute valuable industry perspectives. Tess is Vice Chair of the YNG Technology Group at YPO, an AI Literacy Advisor at Humans for AI, a Trustworthy AI Researcher at Z-Inspection Trustworthy AI Labs and an Ambassador for AboutFace.
Tess holds a MA in Philosophy and AI from Northeastern University London, where she specialised in biotechnologies and ableism, following a BA from McGill University where she joint-majored in International Development and Philosophy, minoring in communications. Tess’s primary research interests include AI literacy, AI music systems, the impact of AI on disability rights and the portrayal of AI in media (narratives). In particular, Tess seeks to operationalise AI ethics and use philosophical principles to make emerging technologies explainable, and ethical.
Outside of work Tess enjoys kickboxing, ballet, crochet and jazz music.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Website:
- tessbuckley.me
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/tesssbuckley/
Sue Daley
Sue Daley
Sue leads techUK's Technology and Innovation work.
This includes work programmes on cloud, data protection, data analytics, AI, digital ethics, Digital Identity and Internet of Things as well as emerging and transformative technologies and innovation policy. She has been recognised as one of the most influential people in UK tech by Computer Weekly's UKtech50 Longlist and in 2021 was inducted into the Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech Hall of Fame. A key influencer in driving forward the data agenda in the UK Sue is co-chair of the UK government's National Data Strategy Forum. As well as being recognised in the UK's Big Data 100 and the Global Top 100 Data Visionaries for 2020 Sue has also been shortlisted for the Milton Keynes Women Leaders Awards and was a judge for the Loebner Prize in AI. In addition to being a regular industry speaker on issues including AI ethics, data protection and cyber security, Sue was recently a judge for the UK Tech 50 and is a regular judge of the annual UK Cloud Awards.
Prior to joining techUK in January 2015 Sue was responsible for Symantec's Government Relations in the UK and Ireland. She has spoken at events including the UK-China Internet Forum in Beijing, UN IGF and European RSA on issues ranging from data usage and privacy, cloud computing and online child safety. Before joining Symantec, Sue was senior policy advisor at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Sue has an BA degree on History and American Studies from Leeds University and a Masters Degree on International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Birmingham. Sue is a keen sportswoman and in 2016 achieved a lifelong ambition to swim the English Channel.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2055
- Twitter:
- @ChannelSwimSue,@ChannelSwimSue