On 27 September 2012, the European Commission (EC) announced a new strategy to "unleash the potential of cloud computing in Europe", which aims to accelerate and increase the use of cloud computing across all sectors of the European economy.
The EC's strategy document sets out a range of actions that could result in the creation of 2.5 million new jobs in Europe as well as a foreseeable 160 000 million euros of additional annual gross domestic product (GDP) for the European Union (EU ) by 2012.
Cloud computing is a technology that enables the storage of data (text files, pictures and videos) and software on remote computers, which users access over the Internet.
According to the EC, this process is faster, cheaper and more flexible and is potentially more secure than local information solutions, resulting in real economic benefits derived from the widespread use of cloud solutions by businesses and the public sector.
Some of the key actions of the strategy are:
- Simplifying technical standards so that interoperability, data portability and reversibility are possible for users of cloud computing - the identification of necessary standards is expected by 2013;
- Support the establishment of certification schemes for cloud computing providers that are valid across the EU;
- Develop a model of safe and fair contract terms and conditions for cloud computing services, including agreements on service levels;
- Create a European partnership in the field of cloud computing with Member States and industry to take advantage of the purchasing power of the public sector - the goal is to shape the European market for this computing model, increasing the opportunities for growth and the competitiveness of European providers of cloud services, enabling a reduction in the cost of online services for the public administration and increasing their quality.
Further information:
- Digital Agenda: New strategy to drive European business and government productivity via cloud computing http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-12-1025_en.htm
- European Commission Communication on Unleashing the Potential of Cloud Computing in Europe http://www.ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/cloudcomputing/docs/com/com_cloud.pdf
