EU cloud computing strategy: Europe must not mist new opportunities

27th September 2012

European Conservatives and Reformists group industry spokesman Giles Chichester MEP and civil liberties spokesman Timothy Kirkhope MEP have welcomed proposals published by the European Commission which aim to ?unleash the potential? of cloud computing in the EU.

Mr Chichester welcomed the focus of the new EU strategy, which aims to speed up the use of cloud computing as a means of providing an economic boost, not to over regulate a nascent technology.

Cloud computing is where data is stored on remote servers so that it can be accessed over the internet from desktops, tablets or mobile telephones. The benefits to businesses of storing their data in a cloud are untold but the commission estimates that if the actions in its strategy are fully delivered it could create 2.5 million new jobs and boost the European economy by ?160 billion by 2020.

Constantly updated cloud computer servers have the ability to be more secure than storing files on an antiquated and outdated desktop computer. However, they could also become much larger targets for cyber-criminals and clear standards and legal obligations to ensure data privacy and protection are needed. The commission is proposing an EU-wide certification scheme for trustworthy cloud providers. The strategy also sets out ways in which interoperability between cloud solutions can be improved, and the development of model contract terms.

Giles Chichester said:

?Cloud computing offers an enormous economy of scale for businesses and consumers. Instead of constantly having to update security protocols or software on every company?s desktop computer, the majority of the work will be done by the cloud computing companies themselves. With increased use of tablet PCs and smartphones the cloud will mean that any wifi connection can immediately be turned into an office.

?The commission has adopted the right approach. There is often a propensity by regulators to regulate emerging technologies before they have had the opportunity to reach their potential. We must avoid precipitous regulation of cloud computing that could kill off a technology that will deliver much-needed jobs and growth. Instead, we should embrace this as an emerging technology that may need further regulation in the future.?

Timothy Kirkhope added:

?Cloud computing has the potential to deliver a safer, more efficient internet. However, there are a number of concerns and issues surrounding cloud computing and these need to be tackled in order to give businesses and consumers confidence that the data they upload into the cloud will be protected and used for the purposes intended. The commission is right to look towards a certification scheme for trusted providers, and to encourage interoperability through common technical standards.

?Data protection has to be a major priority and the work we are already carrying out on a new EU-wide data protection framework will hopefully provide more businesses with the confidence to take advantage of this exciting development.?

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Contact: Giles on +32 228 45296 and Timothy on 0032 228 45321

More information can be found at:
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/12/1025&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/12/713&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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Source: http://ecrgroup.eu/?p=7141

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