Cross-border data transfers need to be simplified: White paper
By Digital News Asia June 20, 2014
- White paper aims to help drive formation of policies concerning cloud computing in Asia
- Increasing complexities on data transfer between jurisdictions poses problems for operators
THE Asia Pacific Carriers’ Coalition (APCC) and the Asia Cloud Computing Association have jointly released a new white paper on the increasing importance – and complexity – of compliance requirements, with suggestions on reducing compliance costs.
The purpose of this paper is to contribute to, and help drive the formation of, policies concerning cloud computing in Asia, the two organisations said in a statement.
The paper addresses the increasing complexities surrounding the transfer of data between jurisdictions, and the problems this poses for operators, such as carriers, remittance service providers, social networks, Internet and e-commerce companies, which are offering legitimate cross-border data transfer services.
“The growth of international trade has greatly facilitated the digital economy and the ease with which businesses can move goods and services as a result. Asia is increasingly fragmented with respect to regulations on cloud services,” said APCC president Simon Smith.
“Companies are finding it increasingly difficult to navigate the maze of compliance requirements.This paper highlights that in order to maintain the growth of international trade and investment, a regulatory balance between privacy, security and the free flow of information must be struck,” he added.
The paper, commissioned by the APCC, builds on original research developed by the Asia Cloud Computing Association as part of a broader and ongoing study on data sovereignty throughout Asia Pacific.
It argues that lawmakers and regulators should balance their efforts to protect personal data privacy and data in key sectors, such as banking and health services, with solutions that facilitate and therefore lower the cost of data transfers under all reasonable circumstances.
“With data becoming the currency of the new economy, enabling smooth data flows between countries is increasingly critical,” said Asia Cloud Computing Association chair Bernie Trudel (pic).
“Data policies in the region should be aligned to reduce regulatory confusion, and one way is to work on a data classification nomenclature, potentially applying different security requirements to different categories of data.
“Our research suggests that the impact upon regional trade could be immediate and dramatic. Asia stands well positioned to leap ahead if regulators and policy makers can come together to provide regional clarity through alignment,” Trudel added.
To download the white paper Report on Cloud Data Regulations: A contribution on how to reduce the compliancy costs of Cross-Border Data Transfers, click here.
The APCC was formed in 2004 to promote and assist in the development of open market policies and telecommunications regulatory frameworks in the Asia Pacific region.
The Asia Cloud Computing Association was established in 2010 as an industry association comprising the stakeholders of the cloud computing ecosystem in Asia.
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