'Cloud policy should balance national security & data flow'

The government needs to ensure its policy on cloud computing maintains a balance between national security and easy data flow between international borders, said industry lobby group BSA.
Asked about his suggestions on cloud computing, BSA Senior Director (policy) (APAC) Jared Ragland listed out smoother global data flows and ensuring co-ordination and recognition of international norms as his priorities.
He also pitched for minimum government intervention in areas that are best left to market forces.
In June this year, Trai floated a consultation paper seeking stakeholders' views on cloud computing issues such as data security, service quality and legal and regulatory frameworks.

Ragland added, "What we want is a lubricated international global market for cloud computing-related services. That is what gives the benefits. That is what people are buying."
In cloud computing, resources like computing power and infrastructure, application platforms and business processes are provided through the Internet in an on-demand manner.

Ragland suggested that India should look at the best practices from other countries before finalising its own policy structure.
"India has the potential to attract investments that a lot of countries may never have, and the reason it is not as attractive is because of the infrastructure part, which will get better over time," he said referring to a previous study by BSA.

According to the BSA study, India was ranked 18 out of 24 countries on the ground that legal and regulatory environment for cloud computing in India is not keeping pace with cloud innovation.