Cloud computing is transforming every aspect of information technology – from the way we share documents to entirely new models for business operations and services. The Cloud now provides a core IT infrastructure while innovative businesses continue to use cloud computing for innovative new services.
The European Commission recognises the importance of cloud computing for Europe. Back in 2012, it published its Cloud Computing Strategy, clearly stating that Europe needed “faster adoption of cloud computing throughout all sectors of the economy to boost productivity, growth and jobs”.
As part of this strategy, the Commission tasked the European Telecommunication Standards Institute (ETSI) to “coordinate with stakeholders in a transparent and open way to identify by 2013 a detailed map of the necessary standards (among others for security, interoperability, data portability and reversibility)”. The Phase 1 report was published in 2013.
The state of standards
In February 2015, ETSI launched Cloud Standards Coordination (CSC) Phase 2, a Specialist Task Force funded by the European Commission. The CSC Phase 2 experts have focused on four priority topics: cloud computing user needs; interoperability and security; the relation between open source and standards; and the update of the standards maturity report. As part of this process, an industry survey provided key insights into the needs and expectations of cloud computing users.
The task force published draft reports in last summer (2015), followed by a period for comments, culminating in a workshop hosted by ETSI early in October. The final reports incorporate amendments in response to feedback and workshop discussions.
The results of the CSC Phase 2 work will be presented and future activities discussed at an open event on 28 January 2016 in Brussels.
More information
Visit the CSC website
Find out more about the EU’s cloud initiatives