Cloud computing is an emerging technology that aims in providing services over the internet, like data storage (cloud storage) and computing power, without direct interaction by the user. This term is generally used to describe data centers available to many users over the Internet. Cloud technology encapsulates almost all industrial sectors and business operations.
Earlier cloud computing has been considered for cost savings. It was a cheaper alternative for IT infrastructure with the primary aim in compute and storage purposes. However, both public and private sector organizations are now increasingly experiencing the transformation that a cloud can deliver, especially how it will enable future innovation.
The government and the public sector are undertaking digital transformation globally. Cloud computing is a key enabler of this digital transformation era and has the potential to transform the government and the public sector.
Recently, the UK government has also adopted a cloud-first policy to boost up innovation, enhance the ability of government agencies, and improve citizen services also Bahrain unveiled its Cloud First policy. The Indian government has adopted a similar approach. One of the focal points of ‘GI-Cloud’ was to accelerate the delivery of e-services in the country.
All the above examples reveal the importance of shifting to a cloud platform for enhancing business values and driving future innovations. Cloud computing promises to boost computing power, data storage, and processing capacity which is secure, elastic, scalable, and available along with the usage of emerging technologies like AI, robotic process automation (RPA), IoT, advanced analytics like big data analytics, Machine Learning ML, predictive models, etc. Most of these technologies are already being increasingly used by governments globally.
Cloud Technology adoption aims in:
Defining success in terms of business objectives: The success of any cloud initiative should not be measured in terms of how it helps to achieve a specific business objective.
Line up the organizational operating model: Traditional operating models and processes don’t usually match with the speed and agility that a cloud provides. Hence, this needs to be re-organized to promote agility and innovation.
Address data localization issues: Data residency is an issue found in cloud adoption. This can be avoided through proper usage of advanced technologies and thereby enhance data protection.
Therefore, government’ agencies should continually deposit in the innovation and scaling of new technologies and ideas which can help make IT infrastructure more efficient and effective. In short, the cloud can improve efficiency reduce the cost of experimentation and enable future innovations among government and public sector entities.
