EU to research cloud computing

The European Union recently announced plans to fund a research project to more effectively develop cloud computing components and policies. The project will aim to improve cloud computing security, PC World reports.

The project, called “Trustworthy Clouds,” will explore legal and regulatory issues stemming from questions about cloud data storage, said Christian Cachin, a computer scientist and security expert.

The $10.1 million is being led by more than a dozen top cloud companies. The companies will look to develop better cloud privacy protocols, an issue that concerns many businesses looking into cloud computing. According to Cachin, research from the project will be published in scientific outlets and might not end up in products for more than a decade.

Scientists will work with two scenarios to research possible improvements for cloud computing security. One scenario will involve two Portuguese energy companies and research will investigate how these companies’ lighting networks can be most effectively and securely moved to the cloud.

Cloud security is a major issue facing the growth of cloud computing. Security has been cited as the number-one concern for companies considering moving into the cloud.