EBA issues guidance for the use of cloud service providers by financial institutions

21 December 2017

The EBA Recommendations clarify the EU-wide supervisory expectations if institutions intend to adopt cloud computing, so as to allow them to leverage the benefits of using cloud services, while ensuring that any related risks are adequately identified and managed.

The Recommendations fit into the broader EBA work on FinTech  since cloud computing is an important enabling technology leveraged by financial institutions to deliver innovative financial products and services.

The growing importance of cloud services as a driver of innovation and the increasing interest for the use of cloud outsourcing solutions within the banking industry have prompted the EBA to develop these Recommendations on its own initiative. This guidance, which builds on the existing Guidelines on outsourcing developed by the Committee of European Banking Supervisors (CEBS), provides additional clarity on cloud computing.

In particular, the Recommendations address five key areas:

• the security of data and systems,
• the location of data and data processing,
• access and audit rights,
• chain outsourcing, and
• contingency plans and exit strategies.

The Recommendations, which are applicable as of 1 July 2018, are addressed to credit institutions, investment firms and competent authorities. 

Press release

Final draft recommendations

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