National Cloud Computing Strategy Released

The Federal Government has released the National Strategy for Cloud Computing, which outlines ways to use cloud technology to boost innovation and productivity across Australia's digital economy, including the Not for Profit sector.

Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy says the Government's National Strategy for Cloud Computing, released at the CeBIT Conference in Sydney, will ensure that governments, businesses, Not for Profit organisations and consumers have the tools and information they need to adopt cloud services.

The Strategy will:

• Open up the Australian Government's annual $5 billion spend on ICT to cloud computing by requiring federal government agencies to consider cloud services for new information technology purchases.
• Promote the benefits of cloud computing to small businesses, Not for Profit organisations and local government.
• Support a vibrant cloud services sector through competition, a highly capable technology workforce, and regulatory settings that promote growth and foster innovation.

"Cloud computing is fundamentally changing the way we think about technology — it allows software and data storage to be delivered online and be consumed as services, on demand, across your computer, tablet and smartphone," the Minister said.

“The National Broadband Network will revolutionise access to the cloud. The NBN's fast download, and most importantly, upload capacity mean Australians can use applications in the cloud quickly and reliably.”

The National Cloud Computing Strategy is available at: www.dbcde.gov.au/cloud

Information about the National Standing Committee on Cloud Computing is available at: www.globalaccesspartners.org/joint-ventures/nsccc