var exactmetrics_frontend = {"js_events_tracking":"true","download_extensions":"zip,mp3,mpeg,pdf,docx,pptx,xlsx,rar","inbound_paths":"[{\"path\":\"\\\/go\\\/\",\"label\":\"affiliate\"},{\"path\":\"\\\/recommend\\\/\",\"label\":\"affiliate\"},{\"path\":\"\\\/out\\\/\",\"label\":\"Affiliate\"}]","home_url":"https:\/\/ps-engage.com","hash_tracking":"true","ua":"UA-137778178-1","v4_id":""};
var breeze_prefetch = {"local_url":"https:\/\/ps-engage.com","ignore_remote_prefetch":"1","ignore_list":["\/wp-admin\/"]};
The time is ripe for Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to take initiative to promote the adoption of cloud computing in the public sector. Just as the current unprecedented time requires more digital innovation, creative policymaking is required as well.
These multilateral instruments will no doubt help to facilitate cross border data flow and promote data protection, but they do not apply to the public sector.
RCEP Agreement
Chapter 12 on Electronic Commerce commits the signatories not only to promote cross-border data flow, but also to refrain from requiring computing facilities (e.g., servers, data centers) to be located locally as a condition to conduct business in its territory. However, these commitments do not apply to a “financial institution” or a “public entity.”
Data Management Framework
The DMF, which was previously called the ASEAN Data Classification Framework, recognizes that companies need to develop data governance structure and appropriate data protection safeguards based on the purpose of data use throughout the data lifecycle (e.g., data in transit, data at rest). The DMF sets out voluntary and practical guidance for private sector businesses operating in ASEAN to enable them to build their own policies and procedures using a risk-based data management methodology.\
Model Contractual Clauses for Cross Border Data Flows
The MCCs are voluntary, baseline contractual terms and conditions that may be included in a binding commercial contract between businesses that are transferring personal data to each other across borders. Similar to the EU GDPR’s standard contractual clauses (SCCs) concept, the MCCs could potentially provide a legal basis for the cross-border transfer of data within ASEAN. The ASEAN MCCs provide two modules based upon the nature of the relationships (i.e., Controller-to-Processor Transfer, Controller-to-Controller).
Time is Now for Cloud-First Policy for Public Sector
RCEP, DMF and MCCs provide a great starting point to enhance trust and confidence for private sector companies to use cloud and digital technologies to ensure business and operation continuity amidst the current global pandemic, as well as to avail themselves of new innovation and business opportunities in the post-pandemic era.
As for the public sector, ASEAN Member States such as Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore that adopted variations of a cloud-first policy and/or strategy before the pandemic should find themselves in a better position to ensure the continuity of government operations and service delivery to their citizens. The Philippines, which was the first Member State to adopt a cloud-first policy in 2017 (and later amended in 2020 in response to the pandemic), requires public sector organizations to adopt cloud computing as the preferred ICT deployment strategy unless they can present “adequate, reasonable and well-reasoned justifications” against the cloud option.
At the ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting held on 24 April 2021, the Member States expressed commitment to support the timely realization of the region’s 2021 deliverables around three strategic priorities of Recovery, Digitization and Sustainability. The time has never been more ripe for ASEAN leaders to initiate a meaningful discussion on a cloud-first policy as one deliverable to advance each of these priorities.
By How Yong Yang As it practices its “Peripheral Diplomacy” with its neighbors along its borders, China recently concluded its inaugural in-person China-Central Asia Summit in Xi’an, the capital of northwest China Shaanxi Province. The city was the starting point of the millennia-old Silk Road. To enhance cooperation, Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged a […]
By Dandy Satriatama A 2015 study, estimated that unmitigated climate change could drastically reduce the income of the average person on Earth by roughly 23 percent in the year 2100. The findings further indicate climate change will widen the global inequality between rich and poor countries. The world’s poorest 40 percent of nations are predicted […]
By Victoria Hyde De-dollarization is nothing new, but could the latest trend away from the dollar prove long-lasting? The US dollar has been the dominant global currency for decades, with countries around the world using it as a means to exchange, store value, and manage their respective domestic currencies. After the US emerged as a […]
var gform_i18n = {"datepicker":{"days":{"monday":"Mo","tuesday":"Tu","wednesday":"We","thursday":"Th","friday":"Fr","saturday":"Sa","sunday":"Su"},"months":{"january":"January","february":"February","march":"March","april":"April","may":"May","june":"June","july":"July","august":"August","september":"September","october":"October","november":"November","december":"December"},"firstDay":1,"iconText":"Select date"}};
var gf_legacy_multi = [];
var gform_gravityforms = {"strings":{"invalid_file_extension":"This type of file is not allowed. Must be one of the following:","delete_file":"Delete this file","in_progress":"in progress","file_exceeds_limit":"File exceeds size limit","illegal_extension":"This type of file is not allowed.","max_reached":"Maximum number of files reached","unknown_error":"There was a problem while saving the file on the server","currently_uploading":"Please wait for the uploading to complete","cancel":"Cancel","cancel_upload":"Cancel this upload","cancelled":"Cancelled"},"vars":{"images_url":"https:\/\/ps-engage.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/gravityforms\/images"}};
var gf_global = {"gf_currency_config":{"name":"U.S. Dollar","symbol_left":"$","symbol_right":"","symbol_padding":"","thousand_separator":",","decimal_separator":".","decimals":2,"code":"USD"},"base_url":"https:\/\/ps-engage.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/gravityforms","number_formats":[],"spinnerUrl":"https:\/\/ps-engage.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/gravityforms\/images\/spinner.svg","version_hash":"e911aaef7cb2afbb2e3f4303a80c3a88","strings":{"newRowAdded":"New row added.","rowRemoved":"Row removed","formSaved":"The form has been saved. The content contains the link to return and complete the form."}};
var gform_theme_config = {"common":{"form":{"honeypot":{"version_hash":"e911aaef7cb2afbb2e3f4303a80c3a88"}}},"hmr_dev":"","public_path":"https:\/\/ps-engage.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/gravityforms\/assets\/js\/dist\/"};