The Latest European Cloud Standardization Strategy

The European Cloud Computing Standardization Strategy is well on its way to becoming a reality. European Commissioner for the Digital Agenda, Neelie Kroes, announced consultations for the development of the European cloud computing strategy will take place on May 23 2011. Consultations will take place both in Brussels and online. The consultation will involve assembling cloud users to explore opportunities for cloud standardization to support portability and interoperability of data.
Neelie Kroes sees standardization and interoperability as fundamental to the success of the cloud strategy for Europe. She says, “To compete in the digital single market, users must be able to change their cloud provider easily.” She notes that speed and ease are crucial for the cloud to be open, fair, and competitive. She said it must be like the ease of changing one’s internet or mobile phone provider. International standardization will have a big impact on cloud computing and open specifications are essential to creating thriving and competitive markets that deliver what customers of the cloud want and need.
Standardization is a critical element to creating fluid markets for computing services, application services, and development in the cloud. The Cloud Security Alliance was created to promote the use of best practices for providing security assurance within Cloud Computing and provide education on the uses of cloud computing to help secure all other forms of computing.
There are several cloud computing awareness efforts already under way such as: the Open Grid Forum’s Open Cloud Computing Interface working group, Distributed Management Task Force (DMTF) Open Cloud Standards Incubator, and the Storage Network Industry Association Cloud Storage Technical Work Group. For instance, The Open Group Cloud Work Group was created to develop a common understanding between buyers and suppliers of how enterprises, no matter the size or scale of operation, can include cloud computing technology in a safe and secure way in their architectures so that they can realize its significant cost savings, scalability, and agility benefits. The Open Group Cloud Work Group prioritizes collaboration on standard models and frameworks which is directed at enterprises looking to benefit from cloud products and services. The European Cloud Computing Standardization Strategy is well on its way to becoming a reality.