Top Cloud Computing Providers sign up to Code of Practice

Top Cloud Computing Providers sign up to Code of Practice

A selection of New Zealand’s top Cloud Computing providers signed up to the Cloud Computing Code of Practice when the Register of Signatories launched at the New Zealand Cloud Computing Conference in Auckland.

Signatories to the CloudCode commit to operating transparently and openly with their customers and the public, including agreeing to proactively disclose base information about their service and not to market products as “Cloud Computing” unless they really are.

Leading Cloud Computing providers that are currently in the process of becoming signatories include accounting software company Xero, IaaS provider Revera, secure file host Mega, as well as OneNet, SMX, Webdrive, Equinox IT, HD.net, Data247, Catalyst IT, MHA Cloud Computing, Mozzie and Silkroad.

The disclosures cover 17 areas including security, ownership of data, geographic diversity and what a provider will do when a data breach occurs or a service ends.

Institute of IT Professionals NZ chief executive Paul Matthews said today that users of Cloud services in New Zealand should ask their providers if they are signatories to the CloudCode and for their CloudCode Disclosures. “These disclosures are what the NZ cloud community and users have agreed are important. CloudCode signatories believe all Cloud providers should operate openly and transparently and provide this information to their customers.”

The CloudCode’s Register of Signatories launched as part of the 2013 New Zealand Cloud Conference taking place in Auckland today and is the first time that companies can formally become signatories to the Code of Practice.
Development of the Code has been facilitated by the Institute of IT Professionals on behalf of the Cloud community and developed in consultation with more than 250 Cloud Computing providers, individuals and other stakeholders over a two-year period.

Matthews said today that the CloudCode was a huge leap forward for New Zealand and the initial response was encouraging. “We’re excited to be launching the CloudCode Register of Signatories today and expect to see many more providers sign up in the coming weeks,” Matthews said.

Among industry stakeholders to welcome the CloudCode is Privacy Commissioner Marie Shroff. “By setting a standard for local cloud providers to follow, the code makes sure that participating providers will give the right information to consumers to help them make good decisions. This is a very positive initiative from the IITP and I hope it will be widely adopted,” Shroff said.

The CloudClode is also receiving international attention, with Australia currently considering adoption and other countries also expressing an interest in implementing the CloudCode in their markets.
More information about the CloudCode is at www.thecloudcode.org.

ENDS

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