Cloud Code Of Practice Needed, Says Industry Forum

The cloud computing industry needs a common code of practiceand certification if users are going to trust cloud services, says Cloud Industry Forum (CIF).

Proposals for the code practice, intended to strengthen customer trust in cloud computing and demonstrating “clarity in ethics, practices and processes”will  be presented at the Cloud Computing Industry Forum, at Earls Court in London on the 12th and 13th of June.

Code Calling

The Cloud Computing World Forum is the highest attended cloud event in Europe. It will attract over 4,000 senior IT decision-makers from around the globe, host 150 seminars and feature exhibits by 150 cloud companies.

“This event will bring together an industry that is rapidly transforming the provisioning of IT. At the same time, end users are looking for guidance and advice on how to procure these services based on the clear, consistent and relevant provision of key information about the organisation, its capabilities and its operational commitments,” said Andy Burton, chair of CIF and CEO of Fasthosts.

CIF is one of the industry bodies behind the drive to improve end user understanding in assessing and selecting cloud service providers. To this end, last year it launched the Cloud Computing Code of Practice. Any company that goes through the self-certification process according to the code can then attain a corresponding certification mark.

A number of suppliers have already attained certification, and 50 more organisations are currently going through the process.

“This Code of Practice, and the use of the related Certification Mark on participant’s websites, provides comfort and promotes trust to businesses and individuals wishing to leverage the commercial, financial and agile operations capabilities that the Cloud based and hosted solutions can offer,” added Burton.

To promote the high standard and value of certification, CIF conducts regular random audits of the certified companies, as well as investigating complaints from parties that challenge any specific participant’s self-certification status.

“The Code itself is not intended to solve underlying technical issues or to guarantee the performance of cloud service providers. Rather, the objective was to create a more level playing field for organisations doing business in the cloud, to allow consumer organisations to make better-informed decisions about the choices available,” Burton concluded.

How well do you know the cloud? Take our quiz!