Measuring the economic impact of cloud computing in Europe : executive summary

The study provides an overview of the development of cloud computing in Europe in absence of policy measures, and of the most important barriers for its further development. It provides an assessment of the likely impacts (costs and benefits) of policy measures supporting cloud computing to be implemented consistently with the free flow of data initiative recently launched by the Commission, i.e. introduction of security certifications and removal of data location restrictions. The study developed a model for the cost-benefit analysis based on a large literature review, on available datasets and statistics, and on primary data collected via stakeholders' consultation.