The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, has launched a set of government-backed standards to provide guidance to businesses on moving to cloud computing.
Supported by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) in partnership with the Irish Internet Association (IIA), the guide is entitled "SWiFT 10: Adopting the Cloud – decision support for Cloud computing".
The guide was developed by the IIA Cloud Computing Working Group and adopted by the NSAI as SWiFT 10, and "provides a comprehensive roadmap for businesses to encompass all cloud delivery and deployment models," said the launch statement. "It is intended for use as a means of assessing Cloud adoption prioritisation and suitability."
The Cloud Computing Working Group is a collaboration of expert practitioners and business leaders, such as 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. The guide will support organisations in assessing the practical suitability of cloud computing across the full range of business operations. It includes a thorough review of all legal, security, maturity and cost/benefit considerations.
"A central part of the Government’s plan for jobs and growth is targeting key sectors where Ireland has competitive advantages and the potential to foster growth," said Minister Bruton. "One such sector is cloud computing, and various studies have reported that Ireland has potential to create high levels of growth and jobs in this sector if we move early. That is why the Action Plan for Jobs sets out a number of measures that the Government will deliver in 2012 to help deliver on this potential.
"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. I am determined that over the coming months we will continue delivering these measures on time so that we can achieve the growth in the economy and in employment that we need," concluded the Minster.
"Many people are already using cloud computing in everyday life without even realising it," said Maurice Buckley, chief executive, NSAI. "Services such as e-mail, social networking and photo sharing are all forms of Cloud computing. SMEs in particular will be receptive to this standard, as every effort has been made to make it as user friendly and straightforward as possible. Many businesses are already making the transition, moving elements of their business to the more mature and better known aspects of the Cloud, such as e-mail or file storage. We hope that SWiFT 10 will enable and encourage more Irish businesses to move to the Cloud in the coming years, which we believe will give Ireland an early adopter and market advantage in this space."
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