The Hong Kong Cloud Standards Alliance was formed in Hong Kong last week to set standards and best practices of cloud computing including interoperability, legal framework and government policies, and to foster regional cooperation with mainland China.
This is the first cloud standards alliance formed by local ICT bodies in Hong Kong.
The six founding members were: Hong Kong Computer Society, Communications Association of Hong Kong (CAHK), ISACA China Hong Kong Chapter, Hong Kong Software Industry Association (HKSiA), Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks (Hong Kong Science Parks), and Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company (Cyberport).
"This is an alliance, not a trade association. The companies' [service providers'] participation in the Alliance should take place through joining [the relevant] industry bodies, through which they can express their views. This is also a more scientific and fairer arrangement to enable the vendors' participation," Dr CK Wong explained the exclusion of service providers. Wong is chairperson of the emerging technology special interest division and honorary advisor, Hong Kong Computer Society (HKCS).
No single standard
"The establishment of Hong Kong Cloud Standards Alliance helps develop the best and the most appropriate practices scheme, and promotes cloud computing connectivity standards across the different industry sectors and regions, which ultimately benefits the consumer and enterprise markets, as well as the Hong Kong economy," said HKCS' president Stephen Lau.
"Cloud computing comprises a broad scope of technologies. There is no single standard for cloud computing. Instead, 'cloud standards' should comprise self-regulatory rules for the industry to follow, technology standards, rules for conducting cloud pilot testing, and take into concern the potential laws and regulations in the future," Wong said. "These standards should deal with all three stacks of cloud computing: infrastructure-as-a-service, platform-as-a-service and most importantly, software-as-a-service."