Cloud Computing in Government: A Complex Relationship
In the digital age, government organizations are grappling with the challenge of implementing secure cloud collaboration for sensitive data. This is particularly true in balancing data protection and business goals.
One solution lies in the use of frameworks like FedRAMP and GovRAMP, which ensure compliance with stringent federal security standards while using cloud environments designed specifically for government needs. These environments provide robust security controls such as hardened authentication, secrets management, and continuous monitoring, protecting sensitive data including controlled unclassified information (CUI) without compromising usability or business alignment.
Key strategies include public-private collaboration, compliance frameworks, balancing security with ease of use, and risk-based cloud choices. Public-private collaboration involves agencies partnering with cloud providers and cybersecurity entities to share best practices for securing cloud identity infrastructures. Compliance frameworks, such as FedRAMP-authorized cloud services, provide a tested security foundation for handling sensitive government data. Balancing security with ease of use is achieved through context-sensitive access controls and secrets management tailored to data sensitivity and regulatory requirements. Risk-based cloud choices allow agencies and contractors to select cloud offerings based on data sensitivity and compliance needs.
Other strategies include continuous education and dynamic security awareness programs to train employees without impeding workflows, easing adoption and maintaining alignment with business goals. Government organizations are also seeking new, collaborative ways of working, utilizing cloud computing, social tools, mobile devices, and collaborative work platforms.
However, a frontline lack of trust in cloud security is the fundamental Achilles' heel of the wider and faster adoption of public sector cloud services. This is reflected in the fact that only 37% of central government employees in the UK are confident using cloud IT, and nearly half of central government staff feel their organizations cannot see the benefit in cloud computing.
Despite these challenges, it is possible to have a trusted cloud-collaboration solution for government and public sector organizations. If external data collaboration is not taking place via secure cloud platforms, then insecure and inefficient approaches like email, post, and couriered hard copies are filling the void. This not only slows down productivity but also increases the risk of data breaches.
The benefits of the cloud, including efficiency gains, cost savings, and collaborative working practices, can transform the public sector IT landscape. However, for this transformation to occur, public sector CIOs need to see cloud as a cultural revolution, and that means reversing the security fears.
Sources:
- CISA’s Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative
- FedRAMP
- GovRAMP
- Continuous education and dynamic security awareness programs
- Risk-based cloud choices
- To alleviate the concerns surrounding cloud security, government organizations could invest in continuous education and dynamic security awareness programs to empower employees with the necessary knowledge about cloud platforms, thereby fostering confidence and facilitating a seamless transition.
- In addition to FedRAMP-authorized cloud services and other compliance frameworks, public-private collaboration can play a pivotal role in enhancing cloud security by fostering the sharing of best practices and building trust among cloud providers, government agencies, and cybersecurity entities.
