Question: what does the European Commission consider has the potential to:- generate revenues of c. EUR 35billion in Europe by 2014;- develop into a major new service industry;- drastically reduce the
Question: what does the European Commission consider has the potential to:
- generate revenues of c. EUR 35billion in Europe by 2014;
- develop into a major new service industry;
- drastically reduce the price to business of IT;
- cut the cost of government services; and
- save energy?
Answer: cloud computing.
Looking to harness the power of IT’s economic and environmental superhero, the European Commission has launched a consultation to collect opinions, experiences and requirements related to cloud computing from companies, individuals, academics and public sector bodies.
The consultation forms part of the European Commission’s commitment under the Digital Agenda to develop and deliver economic and social benefit through a strong digital economy. The results of the consultation will inform a European Cloud Computing Strategy set for release by the Commission in 2012. The Strategy will address the legal data protection and privacy framework applicable to the cloud, including international issues and user’s rights; technical and commercial issues such as security, availability and the development of standard form agreements; and the market, with European Commission Vice President for the Digital Agenda, Neelie Kroes, stating in January that pilot projects aiming at cloud deployment would be supported.
Against this background the consultation is seeking input on areas including:
- the development of the Data Protection Directive to facilitate cloud computing and the issues encountered under local data protection law;
- the issue of applicable law;
- the rights, responsibilities and liabilities of users and providers;
- the potential for (and content of) model agreements and service levels for cloud services;
- the problems encountered in both the use and provision of cloud services in the EU and elsewhere;
- interoperability; and
- cloud services in the public sector.
The consultation is available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/575&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en and closes on 31 August.
There is little doubt that the European Commission sees cloud services as playing a significant role in Europe’s digital economy. On the basis that if ‘you don’t ask, you don’t get’, the consultation offers both providers and users a chance to engage with and help shape the legal, technical and economic framework in which cloud services will be offered in the future.
- generate revenues of c. EUR 35billion in Europe by 2014;
- develop into a major new service industry;
- drastically reduce the price to business of IT;
- cut the cost of government services; and
- save energy?
Answer: cloud computing.
Looking to harness the power of IT’s economic and environmental superhero, the European Commission has launched a consultation to collect opinions, experiences and requirements related to cloud computing from companies, individuals, academics and public sector bodies.
The consultation forms part of the European Commission’s commitment under the Digital Agenda to develop and deliver economic and social benefit through a strong digital economy. The results of the consultation will inform a European Cloud Computing Strategy set for release by the Commission in 2012. The Strategy will address the legal data protection and privacy framework applicable to the cloud, including international issues and user’s rights; technical and commercial issues such as security, availability and the development of standard form agreements; and the market, with European Commission Vice President for the Digital Agenda, Neelie Kroes, stating in January that pilot projects aiming at cloud deployment would be supported.
Against this background the consultation is seeking input on areas including:
- the development of the Data Protection Directive to facilitate cloud computing and the issues encountered under local data protection law;
- the issue of applicable law;
- the rights, responsibilities and liabilities of users and providers;
- the potential for (and content of) model agreements and service levels for cloud services;
- the problems encountered in both the use and provision of cloud services in the EU and elsewhere;
- interoperability; and
- cloud services in the public sector.
The consultation is available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/575&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en and closes on 31 August.
There is little doubt that the European Commission sees cloud services as playing a significant role in Europe’s digital economy. On the basis that if ‘you don’t ask, you don’t get’, the consultation offers both providers and users a chance to engage with and help shape the legal, technical and economic framework in which cloud services will be offered in the future.