Cloud Computing – Status Quo on Policy Challenges, Data Privacy, Security and Free Flow of Information

Grazed from CloudTimes. Author: Xath Cruz.

Cloud computing service providers are steadily increasing their reach as they continue to provide service outside of their home markets while using service delivery models that require the transmission of information across borders. In this article, we examine the hurdles that face cross-border cloud computing, particularly with regard to main policy challenges including data privacy, security, and the need to maintain free flow of information. We also delve into the challenges faced by developing countries as they try to participate in the cloud computing market.

Definition of Cloud Computing

Due to the fact that cloud computing has entered the lexicon and has been used to define an eclectic range of services offered over the internet, it can be difficult to differentiate the cloud from other related IT services. However, there are already kinds of cloud related services that are familiar to consumers, such as web based email, file storage, and financial management programs….

What these three cloud applications have in common is that they allow users to access their data from any internet-capable device without the need to install any files, since all the data needed to run the application is stored on a remote server. In order to provide a more universal definition of cloud computing, we shall paraphrase the definition by the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST):

“Cloud computing is the process of allowing access to a system and resources on-demand across borders and systems.”…

Read more from the source @ http://cloudtimes.org/2012/11/12/cloud-computing-status-quo-on-policy-challenges-data-privacy-security-and-free-flow-of-information/