Public Sector Cloud Deployments Shifting Focus?

Federal IT reform programs, such as the Digital Government Strategy, the Federal Cloud Computing Strategy, and the Federal Data Center Consolidation Initiative, offer effective roadmaps to boost the adoption of advanced IT solutions across government departments and agencies.

Combined, these initiatives provide a clearly articulated vision on how cloud, mobility, machine-to-machine, security and advanced networking can be harnessed to drive transformative operational changes to how government conducts its business and build a 21st century government to better serve and protect citizens in a cost-effective and efficient manner.

When it comes to the adoption of cloud computing, federal IT leaders are faced with a myriad of choices and a variety of sometimes conflicting objectives. The following list – by no means comprehensive – offers some key points that federal IT should consider when embarking on a cloud initiative.

• Develop a comprehensive strategy.
• Focus on business value not technology.
• Create enterprisewide initiatives.
• Consider impacts on existing workflows and processes.
• Develop business-level metrics.
• Meet security compliance requirements and mandates.
• Adopt data segregation techniques.
• Deploy effective identity and access policies.
• Avoid the commodity conundrum.

While cloud computing offers significant benefits when it comes to changing how IT resources are purchased, managed and consumed, it is often only part of the equation. The true value of cloud computing is truly unlocked when it is combined with a comprehensive mobility strategy. By storing data in the cloud, it can then be accessed by authorized users from nearly any type of devices – desktop, laptop, smartphone of tablet – where and when users need it. The concept of access by authorized users is important to any conversation about cloud and mobility. In order to ensure that data is kept secure and accessible only by those that are authorized, sound identity and access management controls, preferably those employing multi-factor authentication techniques are a vital and necessary requirement.

If you are interested in hearing perspectives from federal and commercial IT leaders, the Federal Computer Week executive briefing (Nov. 2102) titled, “How Data Center Design and Cloud Computing Are Transforming Agency Operations”, offers valuable insights and is worth taking some time to view.