These are some of the questions the European Cloud Partnership (ECP) is asking in a survey today. The survey invites comments on Trusted Cloud Europe, a set of ideas on how Europe can help public and private organisations use, buy and sell cloud services in a safe and trusted environment. These proposals come from the ECP's Steering Board – an advisory group to the European Commission, set up as one action implementing the 2012 European Cloud Strategy. The Steering Board's chair, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves of Estonia, presents Trusted Cloud Europe to European Commission Vice-President @NeelieKroesEU in Brussels today.
The cloud economy is growing by more than 20% and could generate about €940 billion in GDP and 3.8 million jobs by 2020 in Europe, with the support of the European Cloud Strategy.
European Commission Vice-President Neelie Kroes said: "With the ongoing lack of trust in the internet, this initiative by the European Cloud Partnership is key. I am looking forward to hearing the views of Europeans. Europe has a reputation for high standards of data protection, security, and for its handling of public services and transparency. I hope we will soon also have a reputation of the top place for cloud computing in the world".
Current and future users and providers of cloud computing services as well as all other interested parties are invited to comment on the ECP's ideas. Respond on the web, by email, or join the online discussion.
Responses to this survey will inform the European Commission's future actions in the area of cloud computing.
Background
The ECP brings together industry and the public sector to help establish a Digital Single Market for cloud computing in Europe. It was set up as part of the European Cloud Strategy.
The ECP's Steering Board was invited to advise the Commission on strategic options to turn cloud computing into an engine for sustainable economic growth, innovation and cost-efficient public services. It is composed of high-level representatives of the IT and telecom industry and decision makers from governmental IT policy making and chaired by Toomas Hendrik Ilves, President of Estonia. The Steering Board held its first meeting on 19 November 2012 and completed Trusted Cloud Europe #trustedcloudEU after a fourth meeting on 13 February 2014.
www.europa.eu
