Authoritarian Cloud
The Korean government is actively seeking to develop a secure open source cloud-based software platform. The platform will be tried in two dimensions, one as an operating system (OS) and the other as a web browser. As the first stage, a prototype will be developed to realize cloud-accessing platform in the OS and the web browser, and then, by 2017 the software platform will become more sophisticated so that it can be used for web services.
According to the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning on Aug. 11, the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) will be involved in the development of a cloud-based software platform by the end of this year. The research institute will choose a business operator and the selected company will make a prototype within the year, aiming to complete the final software platform by 2017. Around 4.5 billion won (US$3.8 million) is set aside for the project.
The purpose of this project is to create a safe cloud environment, as a business environment is shifting toward cloud computing. Currently, business operators are using different software-based platforms for cloud access, and the additional installation of necessary software is carried out separately.
Hence, the ETRI made a decision to build a secure cloud-based software platform by making a web browser and an OS as open source, since they can guarantee a cloud-based web service. The research institute changed a response system in accordance with the characteristics of cloud computing, which needs a rapid and continuous response. The institute will create a community with related developers based on open source, and build an ecosystem that can jointly maintain the software platform.
The institute will disclose its source code in an effort to continually improve the performance of the software platform according to the property of cloud computing, and will operate a related portal site and wiki where developers can share opinions.
The new software platform is expected to replace security solutions available in OSes, and web browsers provided by software companies. Or, it is likely to be evaluated for its ability to maintain compatibility after a prototype is made.
A source in the software industry noted, "The influence of open source is getting stronger in the field of clouds, and web standards are expanding. But nobody knows how related technology will change." The source added, "To create an ecosystem for developers aimed at jointly developing and maintaining a software platform is the key."