Preview

Overview and Issues for Implementation of the Federal Cloud Computing

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
13907 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
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

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    Cloud computing is a fast growing information technology trend that many companies including Google, Microsoft, and IBM are currently looking to get a stake in as demand for the service grows. Cloud computing is the concept of allowing both individuals and businesses to store data and applications on remote servers (owned and operated by a third party company), rather than on their own hard drives and data centers. The service boasts the ability to securely access data and applications from just about any device with an internet connection, allowing for such services as streaming music from a personal collection from multiple devices, and even to business development and storage of applications on remote servers. For the past few years, cloud computing has quickly grown in popularity, and as such, has come with its own set of risks and security concerns. As use of this service grows by both consumers and businesses, it will no doubt continue to attract the attention of hackers and cyber criminals, as it offers a central repository of data that can contain everything from financial statements, to company intellectual property. On 7/11/2011, eweek.com posted an article called “Cloud Computing Security: 10 Ways to Enforce It”, which attempts to give several suggestions on the best way to ensure that cloud computing is as safe as it is convenient.…

    • 1626 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Sci/412 7980 Case Study 1

    • 622 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The following is a case study of the benefits of utilizing cloud computing in the public sector. "Cloud computing has the potential to greatly reduce waste, increase data center efficiency and utilization rates, and lower operating costs."(Kundra, 2010) Using the CIO Council 's 2010 document titled State of Public Sector Cloud Computing, this case study will match 10 of its case study examples with the nine benefits from the Federal Cloud Computing Strategy (Cloud First Policy). In further detail the case study of the Social Security Administration - Online Answers Knowledgebase and its benefits will be discussed.…

    • 622 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Cis 500- Cloud Computing

    • 1078 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Technology has taken great leaps of advancement. Some of the new technology that companies and consumers are taking advantage of to store and process data is cloud computing. Cloud computing was derived from virtualization. Virtualization allows companies to separate business applications from hardware. Doing this gives the company the capability of assigning applications as needed. The option to manage applications is a great benefit to companies. Resulting from the virtualization error, cloud computing has emerged to provide flexible IT infrastructures. This has not only enhanced the options companies now have, but it is also proven to be more cost efficient. This has increasingly become a preferred method of companies and consumers alike. (Turban, & Volonino, 2011, p.47)…

    • 1078 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In this article, Patrick Thibodeau comments on Federal CIO Vivek Kundra’s claim that cloud computing concerns are exaggerated. Thibodeau explains clearly the claims made by Kundra about the overall security with cloud computing. Thibodeau blames the scare of cloud computing to IT developers belief of a status quo. Thibodeau concludes the article with a few success stories of basic cloud computing services working in the U.S. Government.…

    • 659 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Cloud Computing Suitability

    • 10501 Words
    • 43 Pages

    Huberman, Tycoon: an implementation of a distributed, market-based resource allocation system, Multiagent and Grid Systems 1 (3) (2005) 169–182. [24] R. Buyya, C.S. Yeo, S. Venugopal, Market-oriented cloud computing: vision, hype, and reality for delivering computing as the 5th utility, December 2008. [25] R. Buyya, C.S. Yeo, S. Venugopal, J. Broberg, I. Brandic, Cloud computing and emerging IT platforms: vision, hype, and reality for delivering computing as the 5th utility, Future Generation Computer Systems 25 (2009) 599–616. [26] M. Maheswaran, Cloud computing, Seminar Report, Cochin University of Science and Technology, India, November 2008. [27] A. Edlund, Cloud computing, pay-as-you-go computing explained. [28] D. Chappell, Chappell and Associates, Cloud platforms today: a perspective, April 18, 2009. [29] Survey: cloud computing ‘no hype’, but fear of security and control slowing adoption. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20090226_cloud_computing_ hype_security. [30] B. Matthews, D. Chapman, Alsbridge cloud computing survey—summary of findings, 21st April 2009. [31] ROI Case Study, Nucleus Research.com, Document I117, January 2009. http://www.google.com/apps/intl/en/business/case_studies/tvr.pdf. [32] D. Hinchcliffe, What does cloud computing actually cost? An analysis of the top vendors, ebiz: the Insider’s Guide to Business and IT Agility. http://www.ebizq.net/blogs/enterprise/2009/08/what_does_cloud_computing_actu.php. [33] Financial implications of the cloud, Infosys Microsoft Alliance and Solutions Blog. http://www.infosysblogs.com/microsoft/2008/12/financial_ implications_of_the_1.html. [34] D. Rosenberg, The cost of cloud adoption. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13846_3-10140303-62.html. [35] T. Schadler, Should your email live in the cloud? A comparative cost analysis, January 5, 2009. [36] R. Dargha, Cloud computing: key considerations for adoption, Infosys Technologies, April 2009. http://www.infosys.com/cloud-computing/whitepapers/cloud-computing.pdf. [37] Cloud computing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_computing. [38] W. Vogels, Beyond server consolidation, ACM Queue 6 (1) (2008) 20–26.…

    • 10501 Words
    • 43 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Best Essays

    Cloud computing is the answer for “affordable” business technology platforms. It is a more affordable solution for media content than any other medium, and this is why Netflix, Amazon.com, and Apple are among the leaders in cloud usage and development. Ultimately cloud computing will be the primary way data services are accessed by businesses and consumers alike. Marston, Li, Bandyopadhyay, Zhang, and Ghalsasi 2009 conclude cloud computing offers companies the opportunity to deploy cutting edge IT services without the enormous upfront costs that deter so many organizations from making the investment in infrastructure. Now that affordable solutions are becoming more readily available it is likely that more small and medium sized businesses will try and streamline their IT services. Small and medium sized businesses will likely be attracted to billing features that only charge for actual usage, as opposed to a flat fee.…

    • 1005 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Cloud Literature Review

    • 2513 Words
    • 11 Pages

    While Cloud Computing is at the top of its hype cycle (Gartner, 2009), it is also real today. It is important to think of cloud computing, not only as technology, but also a new model for consuming services. Cloud computing is also a potentially disruptive opportunity to existing business models. It enables new and emerging IT services, software and communication service players to introduce competitive products and services faster, more cheaply, and with less risk than in the traditional model. Cloud Services can typically range across Infrastructure services, platform service and software services.…

    • 2513 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Security remains the number one obstacle to adoption of cloud computing for businesses and federal agencies. Public cloud solutions are seen as the most vulnerable options from a security perspective, leaving many federal customers to seek private alternatives to overcome security challenges. Regardless of the deployment model selected—private, public, community, or hybrid—conquering security concerns is required for cloud computing to achieve its full potential as the next generation of IT [information technology] architecture. Recent trends in cloud computing demonstrate the architecture has matured and offers distinct advantages for cyber security defense. Lessons learned continue to emerge with three…

    • 1620 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Proposal Cloud Computing

    • 800 Words
    • 4 Pages

    This proposal discusses the benefits and the disadvantages of using Cloud Computing throughout the internet and multimedia devices. Cloud Computing recently emerged as a new buzzword in the world of information technology is merely a form of network base computing that has been around for years. Eric H. Loeb Vice President of International External and Regulatory Affairs Team of AT&T Services defined cloud computing as “a model for enable convenient, on demand network access to a shared pool if configurable computing resources, that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction.” (Prospects for Cloud Computing, Inter Media March 2011 Vol, 39 Issue 1, Ann Lafrance and Angela Kung). Cloud computing fastest growing form of computing, with revenue expected to reach $89 billion in 2011 and $149 Billion by 2014 according to Gartner Inc. Technology consultants (Cheng and Borzo 2010; Vererka 2010.…

    • 800 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    International Conference. W. TIZANI (Editor). 30June – 2 July, Nottingham, UK, Nottingham University Press, Paper 158. P.31…

    • 4703 Words
    • 19 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Best Essays

    This abstract describes how cloud computing can be used to support business strategy and continuity, improve efficiency and lower costs for a healthcare insurer. Specifically, it proposes using cloud services during the discovery and feasibility phases of new product launch and for disaster recovery. Our research will highlight the benefits of cloud computing for conducting proof of concept implementation, hypothesis testing, and impact assessment for new insurance products. We will also explore using cloud computing for disaster recovery, discussing the advantages that it offers in meeting recovery time objectives and reviewing the challenges of data security, automation, and cost.…

    • 4622 Words
    • 19 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    This white paper describes the role of cloud computing standards and architectures in framing a good E- Governance strategy to realize e-Government. Governments have been slower in realizing the potential benefits of the Information Technology to provide e-services. E-services are delivering cost-effective services, which can drive the growth of the economy and government productivity. Cloud computing provides a new service consumption and delivery model inspired by Consumer Internet Services. Cloud computing drives down costs and accelerates cost reduction benefit. Cloud is making rapid inroads. E-Governance with cloud computing offers integration management with automated problem resolution, manages security end to end, and helps budget based on actual usage of data. At a global level, Cloud architectures can benefit government to reduce…

    • 3230 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Cloud Computing

    • 1518 Words
    • 7 Pages

    The “Technology Age” is now at full force. The market for internet communications is evolving and changing everyday, as new developments are being released. Many companies, universities, and civilians are joining the “cloud” community. The terms “Cloud computing, The Cloud, and Cyberinfrastructure.” have come to describe the usage of wireless technologies to join multiple computers, devices, and software using wireless capabilities and remote servers, known as “clouds”. Cloud computing is a very loose term that many computer users don 't realize how common the concept is actually implemented in everyday life. According to Fitzgerald (2008), “Basically, it means obtaining computing resources--processing, storage, messaging, databases and so on--from someplace outside your own four walls, and paying only for what you use.” Using this concept cloud users are essentially able to take any device and give it infinite access to storage, databases, and software if the user can foot the bill. This service-tailored business is able to give users flexibility, while maintaining cheap operational costs, since its a pay as you use service.. Clouds are growing ever more popular with businesses and individuals do to the security, data, knowledge,…

    • 1518 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Joni 's cloud confusion mirrors current industry bewilderment over cloud computing. Like many other industry initiatives, cloud computing has a number of meanings.…

    • 871 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Development of Information technology is showing its importance for development in all the sectors across. Information technology in recent years showed a complete revolution in how information is collected, stored/managed and used in both business and government around the world. The world and the workplace has been changed from working on paper documents which always face the problem of errors and delays, to the world of computers and information technology where work is carried out in its own way with accuracy and on time.…

    • 1876 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays

Related Topics