Accelerating Public CloudDriving digital transformation December 2017

BRIEFING FOR EXECUTIVES

Driving digital transformationIn 2016 Cabinet agreed measures to accelerate agency adoption of public cloud services to drive digital transformation (CAB-16-MIN-0316).

It also requires agencies to develop a ‘cloud plan’ that defines its strategy for how it uses these services.

Security – Public cloud services from global providers are typically more secure than traditional IT systems. There is published guidance on security controls and risk assessments and security certificates available to support better agency decision-making.

Offshoring – Most public cloud services used by agencies are hosted in countries that have no significant jurisdictional risks. There is published guidance on jurisdictional risks available to provide agencies with a framework to manage these risks.

Social licence – Although not an absolute barrier, agencies need to engage with citizens to validate their level of comfort for using public cloud services. The GCDO has published guidance on this issue.

Agencies can manage risks of using public cloud servicesNew Zealand’s Government Chief Digital Officer has worked closely with the security agencies to address the major concerns about using public cloud services:

What are public cloud services?Public cloud services are ICT services delivered to multiple organisations across different industries, including private and government sectors.

Most emerging technologies from the ICT industry – such as blockchain, internet of things, artificial intelligence and data analytics – are now delivered as public cloud services.

Benefits of using public cloud servicesPublic cloud services have economies of scale that reduce costs and generally improve resilience and security compared with other technology delivery models. More importantly, they are used to drive digital transformation, such as major business improvements to enhance customer experience, streamline operations, or create new delivery models.

Learn moreFind the latest cloud guidance and tools on www.ict.govt.nz, or talk to your Department of Internal Affairs relationship manager. This briefing is part of the programme led by the Department of Internal Affairs to accelerate the adoption of public cloud services.

New Zealand Qualifications Authority – An early adopter of productivity services following the change in Cabinet policy, it sees public cloud services as way to re-engineer the focus of its business to better support its customers and its core, high-value business functions.

Stats NZ – Leveraging the impact of the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake to accelerate its adoption of public cloud services, it sees public cloud services as providing ready access to advanced analytics, big data, and machine learning that will enable it to transform its core business.

Accident Compensation Corporation – Having recognised the value of having a strategy for using public cloud services to drive its overall business transformation, it has engaged decision-makers in a strategic dialogue about the role of public cloud services to drive its transformation.

Early adopters are using public cloud services to drive transformation

Early adopters are using public cloud services to transform their agencies. Some examples include:

Public cloud services are now mainstreamGovernment agencies have a high appetite to use public cloud services for a large proportion of the information they hold. Most already use or intend to use public cloud services for their back-office functions, and these services are now seen as a viable option for customer-facing services.

Although reduced costs are typically regarded as the main benefit of public cloud services, the primary drivers for agencies are increased workforce mobility, improved collaboration, and greater agility.

Two thirds of agencies have an appetite to use public cloud services for most information

100% of agencies intend to use productivity services

100%