The European Commission opened a consultation, on 16 May, on one of the hottest topics in the digital realm today: cloud computing'. This technological development enables companies, using networks such as the internet, to access their data and software on someone else's computers(networks). This can help businesses to drastically reduce information technology costs by making more efficient use of hardware.
Commissioner Neelie Kroes (Digital Agenda) has stressed her intention to take action on an EU scale, namely to establish a legal framework for data protection for businesses and public administrations using cloud computing. She is thus "inviting all interested parties, in particular cloud developers and cloud users, to explain their experience, needs, expectations and insights into the use and provision of cloud computing".
The survey focuses on four areas: data protection and liability questions, in particular in cross-border situations;aother legal and technical barriers that can slow down the development of cloud computing in Europe; potential standardisation and interoperability solutions;auptake of cloud services, in particular by SMEs; and ways to promote research and innovation in cloud computing.
Companies such as Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Cisco and Microsoft already offer such services. Yet, as interviewed by Giles Hogben - author of a report by the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA) published on 20 November 2010 - several heads of businesses, academics and government experts asked: "How can I be certain that I can trust a service provider when it comes to my data and, in some cases, my whole business structure?"
Following the consultation, the Commission will present the EU's strategy in 2012.
No comments:
Post a Comment