Government Cloud Computing and the Problem of Current Lag in Experienced Resources

Fundamentally cloud computing is the creation of computer information systems infrastructure (including data storage) in a way that is meant to be more energy efficient, man power efficient, space efficient and ultimately cost-efficient, than the traditional on-site infrastructure and control model. With cloud computing you give up control of certain aspects of the computer network to an offsite resource, in exchange for less hassle, greater efficiency, and lower cost.

There is a widely accepted view (backed by evidence garnered from the private sector) that the governments who transition toward a cloud computing IT system approach will reap massive benefits in the short and long term. In the short term, less costs and resources will be used, and in the longer term the ability to add scale and new information will be much easier and cheaper to accomplish.
A drawback of the cloud model that has so far caused many governments to engage in a slower and more fearful transition, is the shared data characteristics of providing services. In this context, governments have a general concern about the loss of control of sensitive data pertaining to domestic security, national security overseas, and personal privacy of not only high clearance individuals, but average citizens.

Despite this, the U.S. government as an example, has been steadily embracing cloud computing for years. A September 2009 article by Thomas Claburn of Information Week highlighted the large cost savings in basic computer system management and non-sensitive information sharing between the government and the public, which cloud computing delivers. The article also (seemingly inadvertently) touched on the reality of the larger concern in going full blast down the cloud path. Mr. Vivek Kundra operating in official capacity as the U.S. Government's head information management officer, called for a transition of government data management to a full cloud model, but acknowledged that problems and difficulties would arise and have to be corrected as cloud computing grew in importance for government usage.

Obviously, sensitive information need only be breached once and any system correction done ex post facto won't alleviate the prior harm. The resources available to guard against these potentially catastrophic issues are seemingly always lagging behind the powerful forces and skilled persons who can ignite such events. With all these considerations at stake, the pressure mounts on the private sector companies most responsible for innovation and development in technology, to stay ahead of the potential problems.

Oracle, an American Multinational Corporation based in Redwood Shores, California, is worldwide leader in volume in the areas of software development and data management solutions. In April of this year, the company released a definitive white paper which projected a steadily growing need for cloud computing solutions in the public sector (government). Oracle noted the often overlooked differences between a public cloud and a private cloud and the heightened security measures at work in a private cloud. The company expressed confidence that it could smartly integrate and store highly sensitive inter-agency data within the government, while still utilizing the stronger security of a private cloud.
Additionally the paper noted that Oracle's acquisition of Sun Microsystems in 2009, positioned the company uniquely to provide security as deep as chip level. The company also anticipated the concerns of government earlier in the history of cloud transitioning and smartly established an independent federal zone network in 2007 for federal customer use only.

Oracle has seen the tremendous revenue potential in creating cloud computing technology that is elastic to the needs and concerns of a potentially monster client: Government. This entrepreneurial ambition that is the cornerstone of tech upticks by the private sector, will very likely lead the public sector safely into a full cloud computing model in the not-to-distant future.


About the author: MiCORE Solutions
As a leading provider of innovative technology solutions that help organizations solve complex business problems, MiCORE Solutions strives to enable our clients to maximize the value received from their IT investments.  MiCORE specializes in architecting, optimizing, and managing complex Oracle software environments; with our experience we will create a blueprint for tomorrow, leveraging the technologies of today.
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