Actu
IFIP Cloud Experts Release Policy Paper
April 2016 by Coline Magne
IFIP, the global professional association for the ICT sector, has released a policy paper outlining recommendations to ensure that Cloud Computing has positive social, organizational and environmental consequences.
The paper, entitled, “Towards a Human-Centred Cloud Computing: an International Perspective on the Public Interest”, was developed by IFIP’s Domain Committee on Cloud Computing (DCCC) – a collaboration of technical experts from across IFIP.
The global federation of societies for ICT professionals, IFIP represents over half a million researchers and practitioners from 50 countries and regions. It established the DCCC in September 2014 to provide a cohesive voice on Cloud-related issues for IFIP’s 100+ Working Groups and Technical Committees.
Norberto Patrignani, DCCC Chair and Senior Associate Lecturer in Computer Ethics at the Doctorate School of Politecnico of Torino, said the policy paper has been the result of 18 months work by the group to identify and articulate the key issues relating to the Cloud.
“Cloud Computing is one of the biggest leaps we’ve seen in the evolution of computing and is transforming the way information is managed and accessed,” said Mr Patrignani.
“The shift back to centralised architecture where users and organisations consume on-demand resources provided by very large data centres and service centres makes it critical that we take steps to ensure that the Cloud and its underlying infrastructure are implemented and managed responsibly and ethically.”
Mr Patrignani said Cloud Computing has significant potential social, organizational and environmental impacts which will need to be managed proactively to ensure positive outcomes of this transformational shift.
The IFIP DCCC policy paper includes recommendations for organizations, individuals and public policy makers, outlining the risks to be managed as well as opportunities for new efficiencies and improvements in information flow.
