Does cloud computing need malpractice protection?

Cloud computing is taking the IT world by storm, but along the way there have been some alarming questions about the safety of the data and how some vendors care for it.

CNET.com reports some lapses involving cloud computing that raise questions about how the data should be protected at every step of the way. The online publication points to Microsoft subsidiary, Danger that failed to put in effect adequate safeguards for customer's data. Amazon Web Services failed to uncover an obvious problem that kept one customer down for 20 hours. And Coghead recently agreed to sell to SAP without provisions to continue support.

It's important for cloud computing vendors to follow well-known protocols to protect the data, according to James Urquhart, a CNET blogger.

He makes two suggestions to help rid the cloud of any problems. Among them:

• Cloud consumer protection laws to enforce professional culpability
• Expand the law to allow cloud malpractice lawsuits that include damages for the wronged company

Cloud computing is a new industry, and there are bound to be a few pitfalls. It's time to elevate it to professional standards because everyone knows that it is here to stay and no one is quite sure how to protect themselves in the event of a slip up.

For more on cloud computing:
- see this CNET.com article

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