The document discusses whether cloud services are appropriate for government use. It describes cloud services as web-based applications and data stored across global networks that are widely used by consumers. While some governments already use cloud infrastructure, there are issues that must be addressed for its mainstream acceptance in the UK. Specifically, security and privacy are major concerns when sensitive citizen data and services are involved. However, cloud services could help innovate new citizen-centric services and support initiatives like shared health and social services. Ultimately, the question remains whether the UK government will proactively shape how cloud technologies are used or be forced to react to their continued commercial adoption.

1. Cloud – Right or Wrong For Government ?
Digital Leaders Salon Event Jan 21st 2014
What is “The Cloud” and should the Government get involved in its use were the key issues under
discussion by a group of professionals from the public and private sectors at the latest Digital
Leaders Salon event held in London on Tuesday 21st January at ATOS.
“The Cloud” is a term used to describe web-based services in which both the data and the
applications are spread across a global network of computers. “Cloud services” that are used and
offered by large organisations such as Amazon and Google are proliferating rapidly and are in
everyday use by citizens and consumers all over the globe. In some countries, public sector
organisations already use cloud infrastructure and hosting services to provide citizen services but
there are issues which need to be addressed in the UK before there is mainstream acceptance of
Govt use of “The Cloud” for UK services.
Cloud-based services and infrastructures have many advantages over the traditional “silo-based”
mainframe services. They can be extremely quick to develop, highly scalable and very cost efficient
because users only pay for the services as they use them. They are also inherently more “joined-up”
and collaborative whilst being potentially accessible from registered users anywhere in the world.
They provide opportunities to innovate exciting new services in short timescales but there are
significant barriers to their adoption and use by the UK Govt.
The main issues are Security and Privacy, especially when managed and operated by a Govt and used
to deliver citizen services. The recent press revelations about the illegal hacking of smart devices
such as fridges and consumer devices in the home can only make the public more alienated against
their use for public services but a combination of developments in the “internet of things” and “big
data” and adverse publicity arising from the lack of “joined-up” thinking in situations like “Baby P”
may force the Govt to become involved out of necessity as well as out of opportunity.
The use of cloud-based services to replace legacy systems is fraught with problems both from a
cost/benefit perspective and a change management perspective. However, there is no doubt that
cloud services have the potential to innovate new citizen centric services to deliver the same kind of
attractive user experience that persuades consumers to share private information in exchange for

2. the benefits of a better service. A good example of where a cloud service might be politically
attractive and suitable for pilot projects is its use to support the recent “Shared Services” hub
implementation designed to bring social services together with police and health services to prevent
child neglect.
There are also very major opportunities around personal health which could help solve demographic
health time bombs such as obesity and diabetes and shift the responsibility for health management
more towards the citizen and away from an under-resourced NHS. There is no doubt the cloud
services are here to stay but the question remains as to whether the UK Govt has the vision and/or
commitment to shape its future or whether it will be forced into action by development in its
commercial use.
David Wortley
CEO and Founder
GAITSS – Gamification and Immersive Technologies Strategic Solutions
www.gaitss.net
Jan 2014