Building on the insights from the 'Digital Preservation in the Cloud?' Panel at iPRES 2024, this panel expands the conversation to include representatives from cloud service providers alongside experts from the GLAM community. While previous discussions have focused on the perspectives of digital preservation practitioners, this session will provide an opportunity for direct engagement with those developing and managing cloud infrastructure.

Questions for the panel will be solicited from the digital preservation community through an open call in the months leading up to the conference. A working group of researchers and practitioners with expertise in both digital preservation and storage will curate the final set of questions, ensuring a balanced discussion that addresses a range of challenges and opportunities.

Invited panelists will include representatives from major cloud providers such as Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform, and Catalyst Cloud, alongside providers of cloud-based storage solutions tailored for the preservation community, and practitioners from GLAM institutions with experience in cloud-based preservation. If necessary, panelists will participate remotely in real time.

This panel will explore critical topics such as cost considerations, trust and risk management, fixity verification, and future technological developments. Additionally, it will offer cloud providers an opportunity to gain insight into the needs and requirements of the digital preservation community.

By fostering an open dialogue, this session aims to bridge the gap between cloud service providers and preservation practitioners, encouraging collaboration and deeper understanding. A summary of key takeaways will be included in the conference proceedings and published on the National Library of New Zealand’s blog, ensuring continued discussion beyond the event.