Cloud Computing - The Primary Threat to Export Classification

The concept of cloud computing has gained massive popularity around the world since its arrival. However, this overwhelming popularity has raised many questions regarding the efficiency of the technology in the field of export control classifications and regulations. With time, more and more organizations have started accepting cloud space along with the benefits of several other tools. However, the above incident has also made numerous users realize the threats or challenges in case of privacy and security matters.

Export Control - What Is It?

The United States, along with several other countries, have put strict regulations in the delivery and export of technology, information, software, and other commodities. According to many, abrupt export of such things hampers the national security concerns. As a result, a regulatory authority consisting of inter-related federal agencies have been formed by the countries, which is collectively referred to as Export Control.

Things or Activities That Can Exploit Export Control

·         Defense Articles or Military Services

·         Medical Lasers

·         Encryption Technology

·         Nuclear Technology

·         High Performance Computing

The Primary Threat

Apart from the above threats, digital marketing has appeared to be the worst threat to export control and classification issues. The concept of cloud computing provides a greater level of convenience to people while accessing data. It helps people access data from almost any geographic location without much problem. However, export controls are constructed based on specific limitations, which demand the shifting of data, as well as, technology from one place to another.

While talking about export classification in a broader sense than before, people come up with the regulations set by various countries to control the transfer of technology, software, or information to any other countries. However, cloud computing is considered to be the primary obstacle faced during the implementation of the above regulations. As the cloud concept allows people to access data from any place around the world, the idea of implementing export regulations becomes vulnerable to a great extent.

Ways to Overcome the Threat

In order to avoid the above threats, people, as well as, service providers should conclude cloud computing while keeping the matter of Federal laws in mind. It is possible only when they are ready to adopt the regulations that already exist. This will not only help the local service providers take full advantage of the cloud computing, but also let them keep the export rules and regulations set by the country. This way, the matters of national security, as well as, foreign policies remain undisturbed.

As export control is a matter of national security along with the interests of the country in foreign policies, the cloud computing service providers should work hand-in-hand with the Export Administration Regulations. Moreover, they should also try to minimize the exploitation of cloud-based technologies with better security matters.

Authoritative bodies should hold frequent meetings with the cloud service providers to set guidelines for using the technologies. Implementation of the above things in an appropriate way can help people reap the benefits of technology from cloud computing, without hampering national security or international relations, and support export classification at its best.