EU agency recommends private cloud for government

Monday, January 17, 2011

The European Network and Information Security Agency recently released a report in which it recommended public sector organizations deploy private cloud computing solutions as means for improving operations while maintaining a high level of security for sensitive data.

Though EU government agencies have recently been called upon to be more transparent, the report stated that private clouds are better suited than public clouds for government and other public sector administrators.

According to a press release, the purpose of the report was to offer public sector administrators a balanced assessment of cloud computing and highlight both the pros and cons of all types of clouds.

"Public cloud offers a very high level of service availability, and is the most cost-effective. Yet, currently its adoption should be limited to non-sensitive or non-critical applications, in the context of a well-defined cloud adaptation strategy with a clear exit strategy," said ENISA executive director Udo Helmbrecht.

As it has with private sector companies, cloud computing has become a growing technology trend with government agencies. Research firm Ovum recently released a report in which it predicted the UK government would increase its use of the cloud in 2011.