Cloud computing draft code released
March 19, 2012
The emerging cloud computing industry is opting for self-regulation in a bid to close down cowboy operators who may lose customers’ data. Cloud computing is the delivery of computing as a service over a network such as the internet.
The New Zealand Computer Society has released CloudCode, a voluntary code of conduct for data centre operators, for consultation. The sponsored code has been written by the society with the intention of increasing confidence in the sector and is only the second such document in the world. The industry’s reputation, the society said, was threatened by the lack of standards and practice guidelines…
"This, combined with a lack of understanding of the accepted definitions of cloud computing and what it entails, results in a situation where services are being offered that don’t meet what are generally considered acceptable standards of practice."
The code requires data centre operators to be transparent with customers about where specific data is stored and share their data management philosophy.
Bruce Trevarthen, director of theCloud which is building a $5 million data centre at Waikato Innovation Park in Hamilton, welcomed the code having been told by the society that a governing body would probably be established to administer it.
His business, which offers cloud services to the likes of Wintec, already complied with the code, giving customers documents outlining its procedures when they sign up.
"If they come back to us and say, `you need to do something on a Friday afternoon’ we will consider doing it," he said.
"The code makes sense and if it does not come in the result is status quo."
Microsoft spokesman Dr Bill Crounse encouraged cloud service operators to engage with the society and have their say on the code.
"If you just sit back and wait for something to happen you may not like what you get," he said. "I would encourage those on the receiving end to get involved and make sure that it’s done in a way does not constrain your ability to do business."
Submissions close on April 10.