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Government opens call for views on data and cloud security

The UK government has announced it is seeking views on how to boost the security and resilience of the UK’s data centres and online cloud platforms.

The call for views invites contributions from data centre operators, cloud platform providers, data centre customers, security and equipment suppliers and cyber security experts to understand the risks data storage and processing services face.

The government wants to understand what steps providers are already taking to address any security and resilience vulnerabilities. The call for views will also ask companies which run, purchase or rent any element of a data centre to provide details of the types of customers they serve.

Julian David, CEO, techUK, explained, “The UK’s data infrastructure – through cloud platforms and data centres – underpins the digital technologies and services upon which all citizens and organisations increasingly rely.

"The technology sector already plays an important role in strengthening resilience across the UK economy and techUK welcomes the opportunity to engage with Government on these significant issues. One particular focus will be how these proposals will align with wider efforts to strengthen resilience across sectors as well as the wider ambitions outlined in the UK’s National Cyber Strategy - which is a continuation of UK Government’s longstanding leadership in cyber security.”

Based on the evidence submitted, DCMS will decide whether any additional government support or management is needed to minimise the risks that data storage and processing infrastructure face.

The eight-week call for views will run until midnight on Sunday 24 July. You can find more details here.