The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD has today launched new standards to help provide guidance to businesses on moving to cloud computing.
The standards were developed by the Cloud Computing Working Group within the Irish Internet Association (IIA), the professional body for those conducting business via the internet from Ireland. The standards have been adopted by the National Standards Authority of Ireland(NSAI) as SWiFT 10: Adopting the Cloud – decision support for Cloud computing. It is intended for use as a means of assessing Cloud adoption prioritisation and suitability. The IIACloud Computing Working Group is a collaboration of expert practitioners and business leaders (Chief Information Officers, Chief Technical Officers, Heads of IT, Legal, and Consultancy) from a variety of business sectors and organisation sizes in Ireland.The Decision Support Matrix contained within SWiFT 10 has been divided into a number of categories, which address the challenges and business benefits to be considered in developing and implementing a Cloud migration strategy. It includes a thorough review of all legal, security, maturity and cost/benefit considerations.
The Minister stated: “Today’s launch of new Government-backed standards to help guide businesses of all sizes that are looking to move to the Cloud marks the delivery of one of these measures. This is an important move by Government to help increase the numbers of Irish businesses, small and large, who successfully adopt the Cloud.”
CEO of the Irish Internet Association, Joan Mulvihill, explained that “SWiFT 10 has been specifically designed with the customer in mind. All of the research has shown that while SMEs are convinced of the merits of the Cloud, they are hesitant to take those first steps. SWiFT 10 will guide business owners and managers through the process and assist them in making the appropriate decisions and setting the right course for their Cloud adoption strategy.”
Public Affairs Ireland is offering a seminar on Cloud Computing in the Public Sector, Tuesday May 29 2012, featuring guest speakers from the public and private sectors. For more information on this seminar, please click here or call us on 01 819 8500.