NSW announces cloud-first strategy
The NSW Government has announced a new cloud procurement strategy aimed at embedding a ‘public cloud by default’ principle across all ICT procurement decisions.
The new NSW Government Cloud Strategy will seek to provide government agencies with a common vision, direction and approach for consuming cloud services, and enable agencies to transform and accelerate digital service delivery.
The strategy will be led by the NSW Government ICT and Digital Leadership Group (IDLG). It will be mandatory to adopt for all NSW government clusters and agencies, and voluntary but recommended for all state-owned corporations.
It joins the recently launched AI Strategy, Smart Places Strategy and Internet of Things Policy as initiatives under the NSW Digital Transformation Program.
According to the strategy, the goals include enhancing the security of state government agency assets and data, allowing for consistent direction in the consumption of cloud services, and allowing agencies to modernise their ICT and digital service delivery.
Other targeted outcomes including enhancing innovation by enabling agencies to consume new cloud capabilities such as AI and machine learning, improving commercial outcomes, and putting customers at the centre of government services.
The strategy notes that consumption of private cloud services over the two dedicated GovDC data centres is expected to flatten as agencies consume more public cloud services.
Meanwhile public cloud spending doubled between FY16 and FY19, although spending in FY19 declined significantly from the peak of FY18.
NSW Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the strategy has been carefully designed to mitigate the risks associated with cloud services, including cybersecurity and privacy.
“Our Cloud Strategy puts in place the strongest security, privacy and procurement foundations to ensure the public sector follows best practice when buying and managing cloud services. It is a move that will accelerate innovation, modernise service delivery and create better outcomes for the citizens of NSW,” he said.
“A modern and reliable cloud strategy and cloud policy will enable government-wide adoption of public cloud services in a united and secure manner.”
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