The European Commissioner Vice-President for the Digital Agenda, Neelie Kroes, in a recent address to the Université Paris-Dauphine, stated “cloud computing may indeed become one of the backbones of our digital future”.
During the presentation the Commissioner detailed plans by the EU to make data protection rules clear across all member states, due to difference depending on culture and legal traditions. The plan for set ‘cloud-friendly’ rules will help complete the Single Digital Market in Europe, which she sees cloud computing being the key factor in this approach.
She goes on to state, “A cloud without robust data protection is not the sort of cloud we need. So these features should be well-integrated in the design of cloud computing products and services, from the very beginning of the business processes… the winners will be those manufacturers and services providers – from whatever country of origin – that understand the competitive advantage that in-built privacy features provide”.
Whilst these concerns are not unfounded at a European level, any reputable Online Backup and Cloud Hosting company here in the UK has strict rules it must already adhere to. The Data Protection Act 1998 prevents companies releasing any personal information to any other third party without written consent. ALL Online/Cloud Backup companies should be encrypting all its customer data anyway (an in-built privacy feature!), meaning all data cannot be read, changed or shared.
All businesses can gain certification in a series of standards to improve its data management and security. ISO 9001 and 27001 accreditations ensure a company has in place strict guidelines on how it manages and secures it’s own data as well as its customers. A properly ISO accredited Cloud Backup and Hosting company offers extra peace of mind to its clients as all its services have been independently audited and certified.
Until the ‘Cloud friendly’ rules are clearly defined by the EU, Online Backup and Cloud Hosting companies can ensure they are already gaining the necessary certifications to meet data security and management.
