According to a press release of 2 September, the Cloud Industry Forum is looking for ‘industry figures interested in bringing greater transparency and trust to doing business in the cloud’. They might then be asked to join the Governance Board of the Cloud Industry Forum.
The Cloud Industry Forum (CIF), still a relatively recently founded organisation, describes itself as an industry body that champions and advocates the adoption and use of online (cloud based) services by businesses and which aims to support a credible self-certifying code of practice.
Andy Burton, Chairman of the Cloud Industry Forum and Chief Executive of Fasthosts, stated: ‘In order for CIF and the Code of Practice process to be credible and trusted it needs to have an appropriate governance and enforcement model in place to oversee the development of the Code, undertake random audits of participants’ Self-Certification claims, investigate complaints and where appropriate, withdraw a Self-Certification in the event that participants’ claims are proven to be untrue. We are therefore looking for 12 remarkable people to sit on the Governance Board of the Cloud Industry Forum. We are looking for volunteers from a broad spectrum that includes members from industry vendors, from end user organisations, independent advisors such as academics, IT standards champions and influencers in the Cloud market, as well as IT law practitioners.’
Persons putting themselves forward need to be prepared to give up four hours every two months to join the Governance Board meetings as well as preparation time in reading and reviewing materials, opinions and complaints. A sound understanding of the cloud industry is a benefit, as well as experience in operating in a structured review and non-executive board capacity.
The Cloud Industry Forum Governance Board will meet bi-monthly to review progress and actions arising, and to ensure the strategic direction of CIF and the Code of Practice is maintained.
Mark Cresswell, representing CIF member Scalable, added: ‘The consensus from our recent Code of Practice consultation exercise is that a major hurdle for increased adoption of the cloud by businesses is that organisations need clarity around what the service providers do and don’t offer. They also need to know what financial and operational substance there is behind these providers and what assurances are in place in regard to security, confidentiality and service levels. Put simply – organisations seeking to use these services need a straightforward form of certification or ‘Code of Practice’ for potential suppliers that will accurately define the services offered and standards of operation and security. CIF is required to operate good governance in all its public facing activities such as in Self-Certification, validation and the development and maintenance of the Code of Practice. This is why it is essential we have in place a Governance Board representing the broadest possible membership from across the Cloud ecosystem.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Cloud Industry Forum or the Governance Board, please contact Roz Parkinson at Roz@cloudindustryforum.org
