138  No. 50741 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 31 May 2024 9.3 Ensure transparency by data and cloud service providers in the provision of their services to citizens. 10. OBJECTIVES The policy aims to create an enabling environment for the use and provision of data and cloud services to ensure socio-economic development and inclusivity. The specific objectives of this policy are to: 10.1 Promote connectivity and access to data and cloud services. 10.2 Address the government’s long-term data storage and processing requirements. 10.3 Create a Data Trust environment through data privacy protection and cybersecurity measures. 10.4 Promote standardization of compliance in respect of data and cloud computing. 10.5 Provide clarity on cross-border transfers and data sovereignty. 10.6 Ensure consumer protection in the use of data and cloud services. 10.7 Establish institutional mechanisms for the governance of data and cloud services. 10.8 Support the development of Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs). 10.9 Facilitate capacity development to enable and expand the use of data and cloud services. 10.10 Encourage research, innovation, and human capital development. 11. SCOPE This policy applies to: 11.1 National and Provincial government. 11.2 Organs of State/Public Enterprises. 11.3 Private Sector. 11.4 General public/individual citizens. 11.5 Data Controllers and Data Custodians. 12. DEFINITION OF CLOUD COMPUTING The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) defines cloud computing as "a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, and on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that 16 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za