Overview and Issues for Implementation of the Federal Cloud Computing
Overview and Issues for Implementation of the Federal Cloud Computing Initiative: Implications for Federal Information Technology Reform Management
Eric A. Fischer Senior Specialist in Science and Technology Patricia Moloney Figliola Specialist in Internet and Telecommunications Policy April 23, 2013
Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R42887
CRS Report for Congress
Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress
Overview and Issues for Implementation of the Federal Cloud Computing Initiative
Summary
Cloud computing is a new name for an old concept: the delivery of computing services from a remote location, analogous to the way electricity, water, and other utilities are provided to most customers. Cloud computing services are delivered through a network, usually the Internet. Some cloud services are adaptations of familiar applications, such as e-mail and word processing. Others are new applications that never existed as a local application, such as online maps and social networks. Since 2009, the federal government has been shifting its data storage needs to cloud-based services and away from agency-owned data centers. This shift is intended to reduce the total investment by the federal government in information technology (IT) (data centers), as well as realize other stated advantages of cloud adoption: efficiency, accessibility, collaboration, rapidity of innovation, reliability, and security. In December 2010, the U.S. Chief Information Officer (CIO) released “A 25-Point Implementation Plan to Reform Federal IT Management” as part of a comprehensive effort to increase the operational efficiency of federal technology assets. One element of the 25-Point Plan is for agencies to shift to a “Cloud First” policy, which is being implemented through the Federal Cloud Computing Strategy. The Cloud First policy means that federal agencies must (1) implement cloud-based solutions whenever a secure, reliable, and cost-effective cloud option
Eric A. Fischer Senior Specialist in Science and Technology Patricia Moloney Figliola Specialist in Internet and Telecommunications Policy April 23, 2013
Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R42887
CRS Report for Congress
Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress
Overview and Issues for Implementation of the Federal Cloud Computing Initiative
Summary
Cloud computing is a new name for an old concept: the delivery of computing services from a remote location, analogous to the way electricity, water, and other utilities are provided to most customers. Cloud computing services are delivered through a network, usually the Internet. Some cloud services are adaptations of familiar applications, such as e-mail and word processing. Others are new applications that never existed as a local application, such as online maps and social networks. Since 2009, the federal government has been shifting its data storage needs to cloud-based services and away from agency-owned data centers. This shift is intended to reduce the total investment by the federal government in information technology (IT) (data centers), as well as realize other stated advantages of cloud adoption: efficiency, accessibility, collaboration, rapidity of innovation, reliability, and security. In December 2010, the U.S. Chief Information Officer (CIO) released “A 25-Point Implementation Plan to Reform Federal IT Management” as part of a comprehensive effort to increase the operational efficiency of federal technology assets. One element of the 25-Point Plan is for agencies to shift to a “Cloud First” policy, which is being implemented through the Federal Cloud Computing Strategy. The Cloud First policy means that federal agencies must (1) implement cloud-based solutions whenever a secure, reliable, and cost-effective cloud option