New Report: “Cloud Services, Publicity, and Confidentiality in the Public Sector”

Cirio is launching a report today on the legal landscape regarding the use of cloud services in the public sector. In the report, authors David Frydlinger and Caroline Olstedt Carlström state that both misinterpretations and uncertainties preclude government agencies’ ability to use public cloud services. As a result, authorities risk missing out on important efficiency gains.

There is currently a widespread belief that laws and regulations do not provide sufficient support for the procurement of cloud services in the public sector. Cirio’s report, “Cloud Services, Publicity, and Confidentiality in the Public Sector,” outlines the issue and the complex debate that has been ongoing in Sweden for several years. The authors highlight the opportunities available for procuring cloud services today and propose how future updated legislation should be formulated, not least to enhance transparency on the issue.

“Several authorities today believe that it is illegal to purchase cloud services from private providers due to the rules in the Publicity and Secrecy Act (Offentlighets- och sekretesslagen). We explain our assessment that the present legal situation might not be as ambiguous as it appears to many and that there are already good conditions for authorities to purchase cloud services,” says David Frydlinger, Partner at Cirio.

“To avoid confusion, it is important that future legislation clarifies what actually applies regarding the procurement of cloud services in the public sector. Our hope is that through this report, we can contribute to creating fair rules for the future business and society in a digitized Sweden,” says Caroline Olstedt Carlström, Partner at Cirio.

Access the report here.

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