Safety Assessment Coming for Cloud Computing Providers in China
To ensure that cloud computing systems conform to the standards set in place by the Chinese Government, Beijing stated on Monday that all cloud service providers need to submit their platforms for assessment. With the burgeoning growth of the local cloud computing market, the government wants to be aware of the details of the technology they are using. Most critically, if any inherent flaws exist that can malicious users can exploit. Since both government and private citizens utilize cloud technology, the assessment will benefit all parties and offer them added peace of mind about their data on the cloud.
The governmental agencies dealing with assessing and certifying cloud providers are the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Finance, and spearheaded by the national internet regulator, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC). The assessment includes guidelines, such as background information on operations as well as employees. The assessment system is slated to come onstream by the start of September, and all cloud providers are encouraged to submit their assessments before this date.
Cautious Innovation
China considers cloud computing a core technology in its growth and development. To this end, the government intends to ensure that all cloud computing services are safe and secure. An action plan presented by the MIIT states that the ministry plans to scale up the industry by 2.5 times between 2015 and 2019. The technology has already made its way into fundamental operations within governmental agencies. A report released in early 2019 notes that 90% of provincial governments and 70% of municipal governments have implemented or are in the process of implementing a cloud platform.
With the recent massive growth from China’s tech stock market, the way forward is clear to most entrepreneurs. Cloud computing may be the future for Chinese enterprise. Like all other tech products, the Chinese government takes an active interest in the benefits and dangers it offers, not just for the average citizen, but for the government as a whole.
