Lib Dems keen to address cloud computing security
Lib Dems keen to address cloud computing security
Cloud computing offers a large range of benefits to companies and organisations, lowering expenses and improving the possibilities in terms of expansion.
With the government working hard to lower the budget deficit, almost all areas of public spending are under review, including IT. This has pushed the cloud onto the government's radar and its possible implementation is being considered.
However, the Liberal Democrats appear to be particularly cautious when it comes to technology as a whole and, in regards to cloud computing adoption, the party is keen to ensure that data security is as tight as possible before considering it as a suitable option for national information.
From a technical aspect, the cloud is, in fact, very secure and the addition of a MPLS or leased line can make it even more so. But a government body to oversee the regulation of the industry within the UK – such as that proposed by the Lib Dems - could cover any legal or political concerns regarding the holding of public and private data.
However, a recent document from the party entitled Preparing the Ground: Stimulating Growth in the Digital Economy, was quick to assure readers and attendees of the party conference that the Lib Dems are not seeking to hamper progress through technology.
“We are actively seeking not simply to prevent or to undo illiberal applications of new technology, but to create conditions for a more liberal world,” it remarked. “We celebrate the way in which IT brings people together, overcoming traditional boundaries.”
The paper follows recent comments from Marc Benioff, chief executive of Salesforce, which suggested that the UK government is being stubborn in sticking to private cloud services and needs to consider embracing the public cloud in the way that the US has done.
He added, “The UK is way behind in this – and way too much into virtualisation and the G-Cloud, which is a big virtual machine that has not been executed well. Too much cost has gone into running too many data centres.”
Mr Benioff explained that the proliferation of government data centres is “costing them a fortune” and urged those in power to move towards cloud systems to help lower IT expenditure.
