In June 2009, Unisys announced its vision for  bringing the benefits of  cloud computing  to customers around the world.  This was the  result of  intensive analysis of the opportunities and issues associated with the  cloud model . It also leveraged a solution that would make  real -time IT Infrastructures  -- which can respond immediately to dynamically changing business conditions --  a reality. 

 

We developed our initial vision for enterprise IT based on  real-time infrastructure more than five years ago.  The first steps focused on how to make an IT Infrastructure evolve from being "standard" -- i.e.,  with a cost-center focus, reactive answer time and very little planning -- to a more resource- and cost-efficient "virtualized" state, in which planning, flexibility, and pay-per-use were primary features.  Cloud computing represented the next step in this transformative vision for IT, adding hallmarks of full automation such as self-provisioning, multi-tenancy and everywhere/any time access.

 

Since then, we’ve been actively working with a range of customers and IT partners in Europe and around the world to realize our vision for  cloud  computing.    It’ s  given us a unique insight into the challenges and legal requirements – particularly in terms of data security - for organizations based in Europe who are planning to invest in a  cloud model. 

 

The aim of this blog is to share  the learnings and insights  we've gained from working with businesses operating in the pan - European market  and  to  look at the current state of play, issues, implications and opportunities for  cloud computing. 

 

Our first "blogging line" covers trends and regulations governing data security.  Future subjects will include details of the latest technological advances and the implications of the  cloud model for key business functions such as  finance and  legal.

 

 

More storage, more local : European Union members are keen to ensure  that data on their citizens and companies is well protected.  Most other European countries are also taking steps to strengthen data security by regulating where data can be held physically and who can administer it.  The result is a growing demand for local data storage.

 

More control : At the same time, service level agreements  by IT providers increasingly include clauses designed to safeguard data security such as "the administrators cannot access your data or look at the content of your file."

This means that creating a secure  c loud model is now a legal imperative.  For instance, Unisys answer is the Unisys Sealth solution , a robust data privacy technology originally developed to secure information flows within any networks and information systems ,  which is just as effective in securing cloud infrastructures. We'll discuss  this and existing alternatives in further posts.

 

Quicker authorization : The good news is that governments across Europe, even those known for their bureaucracy and stringent regulations, recognize the power of  cloud technology. So, while privacy rules and regulations are increasing, on average it takes just two weeks to have a cloud data governance model validated, wherever you are in Europe. 

That's definitely progress.