Introduction:
Cloud computing
as a concept became popular in 2010 and individuals and organizations (mostly
private sector) across the world were quick to adopt it. On a broader scope
cloud computing encompasses a mix of computer and network resource pooling
solution that includes hardware, software and communication systems harnessed
to obtain desired goals and objectives. Networking and global communication processes
now demand the presence of cloud computing as an integral component.
Current Scenario:
In the present
fast paced environment internet communication technologies in the Middle East
are in tandem with global standards with significant trends affecting regions
irrespective of their current ICT development levels. The Middle East region is
not so different in terms of high capacity networks, low-cost computers and
storage devices with extensive inclination towards hardware virtualization,
service-centric architecture etc., all of which constitutes pre-requisites of
cloud computing.
The gradually
ascending level of economic growth in the Middle East has placed the region in
the forefront to adopt cloud technology to achieve their commercial goals. At
the same time, the market for cloud technology in the region has also grown. It
is said that in the coming years cloud vendors can expect a surge in demand to
deploy services and data into the cloud environment.
Cloud in Government:
Today, expectancy run high among people. They expect all services including public
services to be available in the blink of an eye and that too at the least cost,
in the least possible time. Thus, the time was right for government take the initiative
to consider the need of the hour and provide the best service to its citizens.
This need has resulted in the public sector embracing technology and offering
their services online thereby creating better engagement with citizens. But
with each passing day there is an increase in computational data which makes it
imperative for government bodies to adopt cloud computing technology.
While
cloud technology is being openly embraced by most industry segments, adoption
of cloud technology is comparatively slow in government sector. It is not a new
concept for governments, as they are gradually inching towards adopting cloud
environments to reduce operating costs substantially. Government bodies have
realized that cloud technology can actually optimize asset utilization and
increase flexibility in the scale and scope of IT services and hardware. Cloud
technology is being considered as an evolutionary transformation to
conventional IT applications. Cloud technology offers an array of ancillary
benefits viz., cloud can be used as a tool to drive innovation, facilitate
smooth interaction with people and other government bodies. At the same time,
it would also assist in reducing IT footprint thereby facilitating government
bodies to concentrate on the effectiveness of their programs rather than
managing their IT infrastructure. However, it is well known that there are two
sides to a coin, similarly, cloud technology not only presents opportunity but
also brings forth several challenges which again can and must be overcome to
fully harness its potential.
Benefits of cloud computing for
Governments:
The key
question that any entity harbors while venturing into relatively new areas or
implementing new techniques is the kind of benefit a new technology would offer
that would ultimately enhance their overall performance. As mentioned in the
introduction, there are several advantages offered by cloud technology for
governments:-
- Rapid Elasticity
- Cost & Efficiency
- Disaster Recovery
- Data Scalability
·
Rapid Elasticity:
One of the basic advantages of cloud computing is to provide services with
unrestricted scalability. It can offer governments with an easy access to an
immense array of virtual resources facilitating them to counter periods of peak
load in an organized, elastic and economically viable method. Moreover, cloud
computing is available on demand with no restrictions on quantity or time.
·
Cost & Efficiency:
Cloud computing not only provides economically viable services but it also
offers an option wherein costs of investment can be replaced with operating
costs by obliterating the need to purchase expensive infrastructure or employ
professionals to operate and maintain the relevant infrastructure.
·
Disaster Recovery:
Cataclysmic events that threaten loss of data / records causing a suspension in
services include; earthquakes, floods, war and civil unrest. In such situations
data stored in one location or separate locations for that matter can be easily
destroyed. Cloud computing can address this problem as they have more options
than traditional models that facilitate easy recovery of critical data without
causing significant delay in provision of services.
·
Data Scalability:
One thing that governments can be assured of is that the amount of data they
process will keep on increasing without any scope of reduction in data inflow.
In such situations, conventional hardware demands frequent upgrades. On the
contrary, data processing in cloud is absolutely scalable. Any database can
continue to grow relentlessly without directly affecting quality of service.
Next Steps :
Though
cloud computing offers several benefits it also has its own set of challenges. Governing
bodies in the Middle East today are working towards addressing those challenges that hinder
adoption of cloud technology thereby moving closer to bring in the ability to provide innovative ways to provide the essential services in a faster and efficient manner to its citizens.