High-tech storage raises questions

The technology to store emails, business records and even government files in computer warehouses often far away — and access the data over the Internet — has triggered great innovations and, in Washington, complex policy challenges.

And as more consumers, businesses and federal agencies begin to rely on cloud computing to make accessing data less costly and more convenient, it will be up to Congress to upgrade analog rules that never anticipated a technology akin to a bottomless file cabinet in the ether. Lawmakers are considering a slew of new bills to protect the privacy and security of data floating in the cloud. Cloud providers believe those efforts could encourage the adoption of cloud technology, but the laws they seek may not come so easily at a time when Congress is almost wholly focused on the budget. “Cloud computing can be a significant catalyst for productivity improvements, efficiencies generally, as well as financial savings — both for the country and companies that take advantage of it,” said Dean Garfield, president of the Information Technology Industry Council, which represents a broad swath of the tech sector. “There are certain things Congress can do to help,” Garfield added, “and things they should not do at all.” At the same time, a broad swath of the industry rejects regulations tied specifically to the cloud.