To whom it may concern,

Re: Survey on the Need for a Cloud Computing Certification Scheme in Hong Kong and the Certification Criteria of the Scheme 

        On behalf of the Hong Kong Council for Testing and Certification (HKCTC), I am cordially inviting your organisation to take part in our captioned survey.  This survey is initiated by the Panel on Promoting Testing and Certification Services in Information and Communications Technologies Trade (ICT Panel) of HKCTC.  The purpose is to assess the need for a cloud computing certification scheme in Hong Kong and the certification criteria of such a scheme. 

2.        HKCTC is an Advisory Body set up by the Government to spearhead the development of the testing and certification industry.  The ICT Panel was established in 2012 to explore new testing and certification business opportunities in the ICT field.  Currently, the Panel is exploring the development of a certification scheme for cloud computing services.  The scheme aims to provide cloud service providers with independent assurance on service quality and help cloud users to identify the services that they require.  Participation in the scheme or making use of the certification results will be strictly voluntary. 

3.        To obtain relevant information to support decision-making, HKCTC has commissioned the Mercado Solutions Associates Ltd. (MSA), an independent survey company, to conduct a survey of potential and existing cloud service users, cloud service providers, and certification bodies. 

4.        If you are a potential or existing cloud service user and/or a cloud service provider, you are invited to fill in the corresponding questionnaire(s) (as enclosed to this email) -

• Set A: For existing or potential cloud service users; and
• Set B: For cloud service providers.

Your feedback will assist us in developing a certification scheme most useful to both cloud service providers and users.  I would be most grateful if you would return the completed questionnaire(s) to MSA before 11 September 2013 in accordance with the details on pages 1 to 2 of the questionnaire(s). 

5.        Information collected in this survey will be analysed on an aggregate basis for the ICT Panel to determine the need and criteria of the cloud computing certification scheme.  Individual particulars provided by participants will not be disclosed to any third party not involved in the conduct of this survey. 

6.        It would be our pleasure to provide further information.  Our contacts are: