Cloud First Policy: Who Qualifies and What You Get
Learn how the Cloud First Policy affects government IT procurement and the requirements for prioritizing cloud-based services.
This policy establishes a requirement to prioritize cloud-based services when handling government IT procurement.
Who it's for
This policy is designed for those involved in government IT procurement. It specifically applies to the processes used when selecting and purchasing information technology services for government use.
What you get
The primary benefit of this policy is a clear mandate to prioritize cloud-based services. Instead of relying on traditional, on-premise hardware and software setups, procurement professionals are directed to look for and select cloud-based service models as the primary option for new technology requirements.
What it costs you
Adopting this approach involves specific financial and technical investments. You will need to account for the costs associated with migrating existing systems to the cloud. Additionally, there are costs related to designing and implementing a proper cloud architecture to ensure your services function correctly within this new framework.
The catch to know
The most important thing to remember is that you must meet all data sovereignty requirements. This means you must ensure that the cloud services you select comply with specific rules regarding where your data is physically stored and how it is governed to maintain legal and national compliance.
How to apply
- Review your current IT procurement needs and existing technology infrastructure.
- Prioritize cloud-based service options during the selection and sourcing process.
- Verify that your chosen cloud architecture meets all necessary data sovereignty requirements.