The Australian Government Information Management Office has released its Cloud Computing Strategic Direction Paper, outlining  the whole-of-government policy position on cloud computing and providing guidance for agencies about what cloud computing is and some of its issues and benefits.

 

In summary, the government’s policy is that agencies may choose cloud-based services where they demonstrate value for money and adequate security.

 

The paper points out that while the ‘shape of the cloud’ is emerging, the legal/contractual, economic and security aspects of cloud computing are still relatively immature.

 

“Many agencies have already started using software services delivered from cloud, or cloud-like, providers (i.e. online surveys and employment forms). The increase in autonomy for agency line of business6 areas to deploy cloud computing services threatens the established agency ICT and security governance controls.”

 

Some agencies, including the Australian Taxation Office, the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Treasury and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, have already commenced small pilots and proofs of concept to evaluate the potential of application, platform and infrastructure cloud computing.

 

The paper examines various kinds of cloud computing, the kinds of services available thought cloud and the range of issues facing agencies that contemplate taking up cloud computing for various applications.  It provides an overview of the timeline in which various services could be provided using cloud computing.  It also provides an ‘environmental scan’ of the uses to which cloud computing is being put internationally.

 

The Cloud Computing Strategic Direction Paper: Opportunities and applicability for use by the Australian Government, Version 1.0. is available here.