Cloud Computing Standards Are Under Discussion by US Government

A Google search for "cloud computing" will produce millions of possible results and goes to prove just how popular the subject is for modern computer users. However, cloud computing is still very much in its infancy and can be compared in some ways to early adoption of the Internet, where incompatibility issues between browsers and applications were common. And there are no international cloud computing standards or regulations governing this particular marketplace.

However, the US government, looking to utilize the technology for federal, state, and local use, has stepped in, taking a logical approach to the problem. As reported on Fierce Telecom, the federal CIO (Chief Information Officer) contacted the NIST (National Institute Of Standards and Technology) to spearhead the campaign for a common standard, one that addresses the possible issues and concerns involved in cloud adaptation. In response, the NIST produced a publication that helps potential users of cloud computing resources to understand the risks and benefits of the technology. Cloud Computing Synopsis and Recommendations will form the basis for future standards in this area. It is aimed at a general audience but will also be of benefit to IT administrators, company owners, and other IT decision makers…