Overview
ISO/IEC 23167:2026 - Information technology - Cloud computing - Common technologies and techniques is an international standard developed by ISO and IEC. It provides a comprehensive description of the foundational technologies and methodologies that support cloud computing environments. This standard addresses the landscape of cloud computing by identifying and outlining commonly used technologies such as virtual machines (VMs) and hypervisors, containers and container management systems (CMSs), serverless computing, microservices architecture, automation, platform as a service (PaaS) architecture, data storage, security, scalability, and networking.
By clearly defining these core elements, ISO/IEC 23167:2026 guides organizations, service developers, and IT professionals in understanding and utilizing essential cloud technologies and techniques, helping ensure efficient, secure, and scalable cloud services.
Key Topics
ISO/IEC 23167:2026 covers several areas central to cloud computing:
- Virtual Machines (VMs) and Hypervisors: Explanation of virtualization concepts, VM images, and security considerations for virtualized compute resources.
- Containers and Container Management Systems (CMSs): Description of container technology, container images, operating system virtualization, and the orchestration/manipulation of containers through CMSs.
- Serverless Computing: Details on cloud models where backend infrastructure is fully managed, automatic scaling is featured, and users focus solely on code and data.
- Microservices Architecture: Design approaches for modular, independently deployable services that constitute modern cloud applications.
- Automation: Use of automated deployment and operational tooling, streamlined by methodologies such as DevOps and continuous deployment/delivery.
- Platform as a Service (PaaS): Examination of platform capabilities, architecture underpinnings, and rapid application development enablement.
- Data Storage Services: Key features for cloud storage, including Data Storage as a Service (DSaaS), flexibility, and security.
- Security, Scalability, and Networking: Techniques for safeguarding cloud environments, managing resource scalability, implementing virtualized networking, and ensuring robust cloud connectivity.
Applications
The technologies and techniques outlined in ISO/IEC 23167:2026 are applicable across a wide range of cloud computing use cases:
- Cloud Service Providers: Implementation of robust and scalable infrastructures using VMs, containers, and serverless frameworks.
- Cloud-Native Application Development: Leveraging microservices, PaaS environments, and CMSs for agile, modular, and scalable solutions.
- Enterprise IT Operations: Adoption of automation tools and orchestration platforms to streamline development lifecycles and maintenance procedures.
- Security and Compliance: Application of cutting-edge identity and access management (IAM), firewalls, encryption, and networking practices as applied to cloud resources.
- Data Storage and Management: Utilizing DSaaS, serverless databases, and scalable storage solutions for efficient data retention and retrieval.
- Hybrid and Edge Deployments: Applying common cloud technologies to systems at or near the network edge, supporting distributed computing scenarios.
Integration of these common technologies ensures organizations can maximize flexibility, maintain security, and achieve cost-effective scalability as cloud usage expands.
Related Standards
Several related ISO/IEC standards complement ISO/IEC 23167:2026, supporting a broader approach to cloud computing standardization:
- ISO/IEC 22123 Series: A foundational vocabulary and reference architecture for cloud computing.
- ISO/IEC TS 7339:2024: Detailed overview of platform capabilities, crucial for understanding PaaS and related cloud services.
- ISO/IEC TS 5928: Taxonomy for digital platforms, providing classification frameworks relevant to cloud solutions.
- ISO/IEC 21878: Identification and definitions relevant to virtualization and operating systems in cloud contexts.
By aligning with these standards, organizations can ensure best practices and interoperability across the global cloud computing ecosystem.
Keywords: cloud computing standard, ISO/IEC 23167, cloud technologies, virtualization, containers, microservices, serverless computing, cloud security, PaaS, cloud storage, cloud automation, networking in cloud, cloud scalability.
