Cloud Smart Strategy

The Federal Cloud Computing Strategy, commonly referred to as "Cloud Smart” plays a pivotal role in modernizing Federal Information Technology (IT) to improve citizen-facing services, accessibility, and maintain cybersecurity.

Defining Cloud:

Cloud computing is a model for enabling convenient on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources such as networks, servers, storage, applications, and services.  These resources can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction.

Cloud Smart Strategy

The Cloud Smart Strategy, which was released in October 2018, is the second release from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) following the first OMB release titled Cloud First in 2011 that was a part of the Federal Government IT Modernization effort.  The Cloud First initiative stated that the Federal Government had to move to the Cloud but did not provide specific guidance how to accomplish cloud adoption.  The Cloud Smart strategy provides more guidance surrounding security, procurement, and necessary workforce skills to foster cloud adoption and implementation.

History of Cloud Adoption 

The Cloud First Policy was intended to accelerate the pace at which the Federal Government realized the value of cloud computing by requiring agencies to evaluate safe, secure, cloud computing options before making any new investments.  This policy was an important aspect of government reform efforts working to achieve operational efficiencies by adopting a "light touch" and shared-services model.

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