The CloudCode was developed following calls from a number of significant Cloud providers for a framework of voluntary self-regulated disclosures and minimum standards for those offering cloud-based services in New Zealand. The CloudCode has been developed over the last six months.

NZCS CloudCode Coordinator Joy Cottle today said “As New Zealand’s main annual Cloud Computing event, it was great to be able to release the final version of the CloudCode at the NZ Cloud Computing Summit.”

“The Code received significant support at the Summit due to its plain English disclosure-based approach.” Cottle said. “The idea is to remove obfuscation and help Cloud users understand and differentiate good quality and secure Cloud Computing offerings”.

The CloudCode has been developed as an industry initiative under the auspices of the New Zealand Computer Society (NZCS), the independent professional body of the IT sector. More than 250 individuals and companies have contributed to its development.

“New Zealand is one of the first countries to develop such a code and there is now significant global interest in adopting the Code as an international project”, Cottle said.

NZCS chief executive Paul Matthews said today “The CloudCode Steering Group, made up of industry representatives, has asked NZCS to proceed with the establishing the Register and accreditation process for cloud providers compliant with the Code. This will be formally considered by the Society’s governing body next week.”

“The proposal is for the not-for-profit CloudCode Register to start taking registrations from cloud providers in August this year, following release of the full guidelines and complaints procedure.”

Development of the Code was funded by industry with major contributions from NZCS, Gen-i, Equinox, OneNet, Webdrive and Xero, plus Salesforce.com, Google, EOSS Online Ltd, InternetNZ, NZRise and Systems Advisory Services also contributing.

The Code of Practice can be downloaded at http://nzco.mp/cloudcode [pdf]

The Draft code and an accompanying consultation document can be downloaded here

The submission period closes on the 10th of April 2012

What’s fascinating, however, is it’s very unlikely we’ll be the last. As this work has developed there’s been almost as much interest from outside New Zealand as there has been from within, with a number of other countries watching this process very closely.

To read more click here

By Reseller News Staff, Auckland | Friday, 03 February 2012

The New Zealand Computer Society posted the results of a poll on what they would like to see in a proposed cloud code of practice

“After wide consultation it is clear that the majority of participants support a…code of practice that is based on a simple set of disclosures,” the organisation concludes on the poll summary posted to its Website.

Participants preferred “additional modules or a tiered system” while allowing flexibility to ensure the code is updated as cloud services evolve over time, while being governed by an existing organisation focused on the code and that could respond to complaints.

Only three respondents specified a particular organisation to take up the task, mentioning the NZCS, CSA or NZICT.

NZCS says the principles outlined in the conclusions of the poll form the basis of its draft proposal. The organisation is now seeking feedback on the proposed structure and approach with development and consultation sought through February and March 2012.

To read the full article published in Computer world, click here

Developers of New Zealand’s code of practice for cloud computing have suggested a “multi-tiered” approach, whereby it will be compulsory to make disclosures on some factors of cloud-computing operations, such as security and privacy controls, while information on other factors can be voluntarily supplied to gain a higher grade of compliance.

The code is currently seen as voluntary, with compliance to be obtained by simple disclosure rather than active auditing of the truth of the statements made; but the current consultation draft does not rule out future evolution of the code, possibly to a stricter form.

(click here for full article published in ComputerWorld)

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BY STEPHEN BELL | WELLINGTON | MONDAY, 5 DECEMBER, 2011 |

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9 November 2011, For Immediate Release

Strong progress is being made on the development of a Code of Practice for Cloud Computing in New Zealand, with the first of a series of nationwide consultative workshops kicking off in Christchurch next week.

The initiative is being facilitated independently by the New Zealand Computer Society (NZCS) and was launched following a number of industry discussions identifying the need to proactively address standards and accountability around Cloud Computing.

The project is being supported by a broad range of leading Cloud Computing providers and other interested stakeholders in New Zealand as well as leading international cloud providers such as Google, Microsoft and Salesforce.com.

In announcing the workshops, Project Coordinator Joy Cottle said today “We’re very much looking forward to the next phase of the project and bringing together the diverse views and perspectives of various stakeholders. We strongly encourage anyone with an interest in Cloud Computing to participate in this process.”

The initial phase of the project will decide the structure and approach of the code. This will then be put out for public consultation with the project them focusing on the detail of the Code.  It is anticipated that the full draft Cloud Computing Code of Practice will be available for public comment early in 2012.

“As well as offering confidence to users of Cloud Computing, the CloudCode will show the international community that New Zealand is serious about good practice and standards in the cloud and help build New Zealand’s technology reputation globally.” said NZCS CEO and Cloud Steering Group Chairperson Paul Matthews.

Nearly 100 people have joined the consultation group to contribute to the Code development with financial contributors to the project including Xero, Gen-I, Equinox, OneNet, Webdrive, Google, Salesforce.com, InternetNZ, NZRise, EOSS Online Ltd, Systems Advisory Services and NZCS.

Those interested in the development of the Code should visit the CloudCode website at www.nzcloudcode.org.nz.

–ENDS–