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​The Cloud

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The Cloud

The Design Authority considers that the modern service based delivery models collectively referred to as "The Cloud" present an efficient and value for money alternative to traditional software and system procurement or development.

Currently "Cloud" services can be broadly broken down into three categories or a hybrid of those.

  • Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) – Applications provisioned directly for use

  • Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) – Provides a service for development, testing and deploying applications

  • Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) – Provides the Infrastructure over the internet without procuring hardware directly

Any ICT project or programme that has identified a Cloud hosted system as a potential option should consider the offering without prejudice against any privately hosted system costs provided by GTS.

If a supplier only offers a Cloud hosted system as long as the key data and security criteria have been reviewed through the Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) form then the deployment and utilisation of a cloud hosted solution should not be an issue.

GTS promote a value for money mind-set which fully takes in to account the benefit of utilising cloud systems where appropriate or where the choice of system makes it mandated outcome.

The Benefits of Cloud Systems

Some of the potential benefits of utilising Cloud Systems include:

  • Removal of up-front capital costs to purchase infrastructure (eg Servers, Storage)

  • Potential for lower costs if service is only needed for a limited period

  • Potential for fast delivery where a service can be ordered and switched on quickly

  • Suppliers will have greater flexibility for security patches, upgrades and functionality changes with minimal impact and cost to the user/s

  • Nearly all cloud pricing models are flexible and scalable with charges flexing depending on an increase or decrease in size/scale as appropriate

  • Administration of system is often provided as part of the service

Points to consider when evaluating Cloud Systems

There are many factors to consider when selecting a system, some specific to Cloud services rather than general considerations are:

  • Is the service suitable for the data you plan to store or process? We recommend information with a classification up to Official can be stored and processed in the cloud.

  • Do you have an exit strategy? What happens at the end of the contract or if the supplier exits the market or fails?

  • How good is your contract and SLA? Does it meet your business needs?

  • How does the cost model impact you? What if your usage is greater than expected? Can costs change over time or are they fixed for the life of the contract?

  • Can user authentication be integrated with the Government system (eg by ADFS) to allow seamless logon and management of users (Joiners, Leavers, Role Changes, passwords etc).

  • If your system needs to impersonate the Isle of Man Government then you should discuss this requirement (for example sending emails as Gov.im or utilizing a gov.im URL – website address).

For stand-alone, point solutions that do not integrate with other systems you should also consider if this may change at some point in the future.

For systems that integrate with other Government systems then you should engage with GTS as soon as possible to explore options for implementing this process and communication.

The project must ensure the supplier / solution is appropriately reviewed and sign off and risk acceptance is received from the information owner / business where appropriate.​

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