Vietnam continued to occupy last place in the 2018 Global Cloud Computing Scorecard released recently by BSA | The Software Alliance, ranking 24th out of 24 economies.

The scorecard indicates that the legal and regulatory environment for cloud computing in Vietnam is restricting cloud innovation.

The 2018 BSA Global Cloud Computing Scorecard, the latest version of the only report to rank countries’ preparedness for the adoption and growth of cloud computing services, features an updated methodology that better reflects the policies that have helped cloud computing’s exponential growth over the past five years, putting additional emphasis on countries’ privacy and cybersecurity laws and broadband infrastructure.

Most countries continued to make improvements last year, but some markets are falling further behind.

Germany scored the highest on the Scorecard, due to its national cybersecurity policies and promotion of free trade, followed closely by Japan and the US. Bringing up the rear were a small group of countries that have failed to embrace the international approach: Russia, China, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

“The Scorecard is a tool that can help countries constructively self-evaluate their policies and determine their next steps to increase the adoption of cloud computing,” said Ms. Victoria Espinel, President and CEO of BSA | The Software Alliance.

The Scorecard’s key findings include:

• Advanced privacy and security policies set leading countries apart from lagging markets.

• Emerging markets continue to lag in the adoption of cloud-friendly policies, hindering their growth.

• Deviations from widely-adopted regimes and international agreement changes hold back key markets.

• Those few countries that have embraced localization policies pay a heavy price.

• Increased emphasis on IT readiness and broadband deployment leads to interesting results.

By examining the legal and regulatory framework of the 24 countries, the Scorecard aims to provide a platform for discussion between policymakers and cloud service providers. This dialogue can help develop an internationally harmonized regime of laws and regulations that facilitate cloud computing.

“Cloud computing allows anyone to access technology previously available only to large organizations, paving the way for increased connectivity and innovation,” said Ms. Espinel. “Countries that embrace the free flow of data, implement cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions, protect intellectual property, and establish IT infrastructure will continue to reap the benefits of cloud computing for businesses and citizens alike.”

BSA | The Software Alliance is the leading advocate for the global software industry before governments and in the international marketplace. Its members are among the world’s most innovative companies, creating software solutions that spark the economy and improve modern life.

With headquarters in Washington, D.C., and operations in more than 60 countries, BSA pioneers compliance programs that promote legal software use and advocates for public policies that foster technology innovation and drive growth in the digital economy.