Collaboration key to privacy in cloud

Collaboration that reaches across Australian borders is vital if the risks of cloud computing are to be reduced, the Minister for Privacy and Freedom of Information has said.

Addressing iapp's privacy umbrella of cloud computing conference in Sydney, Brendan O'Connor said the uptake of cloud computing in the enterprise will only increase.

"By 2013, 85 per cent of companies are likely to access their company services through cloud computing," he said. "...From a cost and resource perspective, there is no need to invest in large infrastructure."

While the enterprise uptake of cloud computing is set to increase, O'Connor said a number of issues must be dealt with before widespread adoption takes place in Australia.

The sky may be the limit in cloud computing

"The sky may be the limit in cloud computing but there are some serious issues and challenges that we need to work through," he said.

"Given the benefits of cloud computing, there's an imperative for us to make this work...we see benefits and we just need to mitigate the risks."

O'Connor, who officially launched The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner earlier this month, said cyber criminals are often one step ahead of government agencies when it came to breaching cloud computing security.

O'Connor's insights come as the Australian Privacy Commissioner also addressed the conference, saying that cloud computing can enhance the privacy of Australian enterprises.