What OGCIO's Cloud Computing Advice Note means for Ireland's Public Sector Bodies

Published in October, the Cloud Computing Advice Note aims to provide high-level guidance to assist Irish Public Sector organisations in making decisions in relation to the adoption of Cloud services. The new advice note recognises that the world of Cloud computing, as well as the policy and legislative environments, has developed rapidly since the “Considering Cloud Services” note was published in December 2015.

Within the Cloud Computing Advice Note, the Irish Government has now acknowledged that Cloud computing services should be considered potentially suitable for any category of public service information or system except where such data would be classified as ‘top secret’.

Consequently, the Irish Government believes that it is an opportune time for a more proactive and progressive approach to embracing Cloud computing.

The publication of the Cloud Computing Advice Note indicates that all public sector organisations should be migrating their systems, where practical, to government or public/mixed Cloud environments.

At a macro level, all Irish public sector organisations should take a “Cloud first” approach for all new systems. If a system is deemed not suitable for Public Cloud, a hybrid or private government Cloud model should be considered. Organisations should also recognise that a Cloud-first approach does not mean a Cloud-only approach. A move to Cloud services of whatever type is inevitable for many applications or solutions, whether by choice of the organisation or enforced by solution providers.

All new government systems should be developed to exploit the opportunities presented by Cloud deployment, where possible, and all existing systems reviewed for Cloud capability. This will happen over time and where practicable.