European Commission solicits input on cloud computing strategy

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

An online public consultation was launched this week by the European Commission, and will run through August 31, soliciting input from the public on cloud services and legislation governing them.

Digital Agenda Commissioner Neelie Kroes said that cloud policy could significantly help or hinder the development of the new technology in Europe.

"We need a well-defined cloud computing strategy to ensure that we make the best use of this potential. The input we are requesting from all interested parties is important to get it right," she asserted.

Developers and users of cloud services are particularly sought after, since they can offer the most insight into the actual working conditions of SaaS and other types of cloud offerings. Interoperability and standardization are also important issues to EC regulators.

Computer Weekly cites a Gartner study as saying that cloud services will be a nearly $150 billion industry in just three years.

Technology and the law have always progressed at different rates, with the disconnect meaning that smart, effective regulations have frequently lagged far behind innovation.