Overview
EN ISO/IEC 22123-1:2026, titled Information technology - Cloud computing - Part 1: Vocabulary, is a European standard developed by CEN that defines terminology used in cloud computing. This standard serves as the foundational reference for cloud computing vocabulary, helping organizations, technology providers, and service customers communicate consistently and clearly in the evolving digital and cloud ecosystem.
A unified vocabulary is essential for effective collaboration, interoperability, and standardization across cloud computing platforms. EN ISO/IEC 22123-1:2026 ensures that all stakeholders-from cloud service providers to end-users-share a common understanding of core concepts, deployment models, roles, activities, and service agreements relevant to the cloud environment.
Key Topics
EN ISO/IEC 22123-1:2026 covers a range of key topics central to cloud computing, including:
- Cloud Computing Fundamentals: Provides definitions for basic concepts, such as cloud computing, cloud services, and cloud solutions.
- Cloud Deployment Models: Explains models like public cloud, private cloud, hybrid cloud, community cloud, multi-cloud, federated cloud, and inter-cloud.
- Cloud Roles and Activities: Clarifies the different parties and roles-including cloud service customer (CSC), cloud service provider (CSP), cloud service user (CSU), and cloud service partner (CSN)-and their related activities.
- Cloud Service Categories: Defines categories such as Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and other emerging service models.
- Interoperability and Portability: Outlines terms related to seamless operation across different cloud systems and migrating data or applications between services.
- Cloud Service Agreements: Provides terminology for service agreements, including service level agreements (SLAs), service catalogues, and remedies.
- Key Cloud Characteristics: Explains essential features like resource pooling, multi-tenancy, self-service, scalability, and measured services.
- Data Types and Privacy: Describes various data classifications-cloud service customer data, cloud provider data, account data, and terms linked to privacy and data protection.
Applications
Adopting EN ISO/IEC 22123-1:2026 delivers practical benefits across the cloud computing sector:
- Harmonized Communication: Establishes a standardized cloud vocabulary for clear, efficient communication among IT professionals, management, and cross-functional teams.
- Contract Clarity: Facilitates precise drafting of cloud service agreements, SLAs, and compliance documentation, reducing ambiguity and potential disputes.
- Cloud Migration and Integration: Supports interoperability and portability by clearly defining related terms-critical for cloud migration projects and multi-cloud strategies.
- Regulatory and Data Governance: Provides standardized definitions that assist with regulatory compliance, data governance, and risk management in cloud environments.
- Vendor Selection and Evaluation: Aids organizations in assessing cloud offerings by ensuring a shared understanding of service categories, roles, and deployment models.
Related Standards
Several other standards complement EN ISO/IEC 22123-1:2026, forming a complete foundation for cloud computing best practices:
- ISO/IEC 22123-2: Cloud Computing - Concepts, which extends terminology to conceptual frameworks and use cases.
- ISO/IEC 17789: Cloud Computing - Reference Architecture, defining overarching cloud architecture models.
- ISO/IEC 19941: Cloud Computing - Interoperability and Portability, focusing on cross-platform operation.
- ISO/IEC 27001 Series: Information security standards, vital for cloud data protection.
- ISO/IEC 38505-1: Governance of Data, providing further guidance on data management in the cloud.
- ISO/IEC 29100: Privacy Framework, for handling personally identifiable information in cloud services.
Adhering to EN ISO/IEC 22123-1:2026 ensures organizations use consistent language in cloud computing initiatives, accelerating digital transformation and enhancing collaboration in global cloud ecosystems.
