New cloud computing standards introduced

THE GOVERNMENT has launched new standards aimed at providing guidance to businesses on moving to cloud computing.

The Department of Enterprise and Jobs said yesterday that cloud services were reshaping the future of computing “but one of the primary concerns with the emerging cloud paradigm is the lack of standards to guide its adoption and implementation”.

The National Standards Authority of Ireland (an agency of the department), in partnership with the Irish Internet Association, yesterday launched the new standards, entitled, SWiFT 10: Adopting the Cloud – Decision Support for Cloud Computing.

The standard is designed to provide guidance to organisations both large and small on the various issues that need to be considered when moving to the cloud.

Minister for Innovation Richard Bruton said: “A central part of the Government’s plan for jobs and growth is targeting key sectors where Ireland has competitive advantages and the potential to foster growth. One such sector is cloud computing, and various studies have reported that Ireland has potential to create high levels of growth and jobs in this sector if we move early.

“The launch of new Government-backed standards to help guide businesses of all sizes that are looking to move to the cloud marks the delivery of one of these measures.” He added: “This is an important move by Government to help increase the numbers of Irish businesses, small and large, who successfully adopt the cloud.”