Características epidemiológicas y clínicas

European Union Cloud Computing Strategy

The need to develop an EU cloud computing strategy was emphasized in a document entitled “Digital Agenda for Europe”, published on 19 May 2010 by the European Commission. The paper focused on utilizing cloud solutions for the purposes of public administration and the science sector. The document clarifies the EU’s development in terms of the ICT strategy through 2020 (EUROPE 2020 – A strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth – COM(2010)). The completion of the cloud computing strategy was adopted in 2010.

Finally in September 2012, the European Commission adopted a cloud computing strategy paper: ”Unleashing the Potential of Cloud Computing in Europe”. In that document are key actions of the European Commission defined as follows: • Standardization and certification

• Identification of detailed map of necessary standards assuring clients of reliability of cloud services (in cooperation with ETSI);

• Preparation of a list of voluntary certification schemes (with the support of the ENITSA organization);

• Definition of harmonized metrics for carbon emissions, water and energy consumption of delivering cloud services.

• European Cloud Partnership establishment

• Identification of public sector requirements for cloud computing services leading to joint procurement by public bodies;

• More information about the European Cloud Partnership is provided in further part of this chapter.

As cloud computing technology develops, the European Union Cloud

Computing strategy was extended from such specific areas as e-government and science into more general ones, encapsulating diverse sectors. The main goal of the Digital Agenda regarding cloud computing technology is to make Europe cloud-active, beginning with turning IT solutions in governance into the cloud. That is expected to be the acceleration for the cloud market, encouraging enterprises – in particular SMEs – to deploy ‘As-a-Service’ solutions. The official strategic document claims that improving the cloud market generates benefits on both sides – suppliers and client enterprises.

Legislative changes

The need to introduce legislative changes to Directive 95/46/EC over the protection of data was stipulated in the “Digital Agenda for Europe”, and draft amendments were submitted by the European Commission at the beginning of 2012. These amendments are intended to strengthen legal regulations concerning privacy on the Internet and boost the digital economy in the European Union, among others, by means of eliminating legal loopholes, simplifying the legislative environment, and establishing clear rules governing cross-border data transfers. Nevertheless, some experts contest the stipulated amendments will not solve the current problems related to cloud computing. Moreover, during the ECP Steering Board meeting in Tallinn it was pointed out that the legislative changes process in the European Union is time-consuming. At the moment, compliance guidance is claimed to be the most proper and effective solution.

“European Cloud Partnership” (ECP) and research & development works

The establishment of the so-called “European Cloud Partnership” (ECP) is of particular importance to the public sector. The undertaking was announced for 2012, and an initial budget of EUR 10 million was allocated to the cause. The ECP aims to unite representatives of the public sector, industry, providers, and the customers of services offered in the cloud. The ECP’s objective is to increase the bargaining power of the public sector in negotiations with cloud computing services providers. This is to be achieved through an integration and harmonization of the public sector units’ approaches and the development of common standards for the purchasing process taking into consideration security issues and competition standards.

The European Commission supports research and development in the area of cloud computing. The European Union’s main tool for financing research and development is the Seventh Framework Program (FP7). Currently, FP7 also encompasses projects related to cloud computing solutions. Total financing amounted to more than EUR 382 million.

Since its establishment, two official reports from the ECP Steering Board meetings have been published. The main areas of ECP’s work are: • Data security – preparation of Cloud Certification Schemes, e.g. bronze-

silver-gold security levels as well as Cloud for Europe project, elaborating the transparency of security processes;

• Standardization – provision of map of standards for cloud computing services, excluding preparing new standards;

• Model Terms and Conditions – preparation of template SLA, the cloud decision flowchart and a cloud checklist;

• Cloud Code of Conduct – planned to be complete by April 2014. Adoption of code by cloud suppliers is planned to be voluntary and is expected to build the businesses and citizens’ confidence.

The official strategy of ECP is scheduled to be published before the October 2013 Council meeting.

Consultation process

In 2011 and 2012, a number of public seminars were carried out over cloud computing services for the purpose of developing a coherent strategy taking into account the needs, observations, and experiences of consumers and business representatives. Also in attendance were representatives of consumer organizations, associations of small and medium enterprises, the telecommunications industry, and hosting services as well as the European cio association.

At the beginning of 2013 a web-based public consultation on future research priorities in cloud services took place. Cloud services stakeholders, including SMEs, academia, industry representatives, research institutes and user communities, were invited to the discussion. A summary report of the

consultation was published in May 2013 which indicated the areas of necessary research work for the period 2014-2015 within the Horizon 2020 Work

Programme. The document defines the priority areas of future research within two objectives:

• Advanced Cloud Infrastructures and Services;

• Innovative Tools and Methods for Software Development.

The European Union also takes part in a debate concerning cloud computing beyond Europe. European Union representatives, the US government, and cloud computing specialists have carried out seminars (July 2011) aimed at exchanging observations related to the legal aspects of security and service use, environment compatibility, and developing technical standards. A similar technical seminar, including experts and representatives of the Japanese government, was also organized in April 2012. After each seminar, reports were published summarizing the most important issues raised during the debates.

Status of current work on cloud-related solutions carried