The Cloud Industry Forum (CIF) has released a code of practice that it hopes will improve standards in the industry and the reputation of the companies and services it represents.

The guide is designed to promote trust, security and transparency in the industry, according to the group, and has the backing of some 200 organisations, including consultancies, analysts, service providers and vendors.

"What was critical in the development of the Code of Practice was not only the process of public consultation, but critically a period during which our members could pilot the code itself," said Andy Burton, chief executive at hosting firm Fasthosts and CIF chairman.

"This has taken over four months, and raised a number of issues relating to governance, transparency, capability and accountability, as well as leading to detailed and comprehensive pilots being run by a number of CIF members."

Burton added that the code is important as it means that customers and potential customers can sign up to cloud services in the knowledge that they are working with a reputable supplier.

"The market now has that benchmark," he said.

Source: http://www.v3.co.uk/v3/news/2273381/cloud-code-security