Five Ways Federal Agencies Can Expedite Modernization Through Cloud Adoption

Blueicon distinguishes itself through its extensive range of partners dedicated to assisting the federal government in leveraging cloud technology to overcome challenges. These federal agencies are known for their ability to provide a wide range of services swiftly, all within a dynamically changing environment. Recent years have only heightened the challenges they face.

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, many federal agencies accelerated their digital transformations, working to enhance public services, accommodate remote workforces, and ensure data security while maintaining trust and transparency. As the momentum for modernization continues to grow, so does the external pressure driven by rising citizen expectations and evolving threats.

However, federal agencies need help fully harnessing technology and data potential within their legacy I.T. infrastructure. They grapple with fragmented data, interoperability challenges, and cyberattack susceptibility. These challenges are further exacerbated by irregular budget cycles and the challenges of directing funding toward modernization efforts.

Despite these challenges, the U.S. government’s I.T. modernization efforts still need to catch up, particularly when considering the significant benefits cloud computing can offer regarding productivity, speed, and risk reduction. These benefits are crucial for addressing security and citizen service challenges paramount for building trust in government.

Congress and successive administrations have introduced initiatives like the recent Customer Service Executive Order, the Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act (P.L. 117-260), the newly released National Cybersecurity Strategy, and the federal zero trust mandate to address these issues. These directives place a high priority on system and data security for federal agencies.

Blueicon has cultivated a diverse network of partners committed to helping the government effectively use cloud technology to address these challenges. Collaborative solutions involving industry players, from global cloud service providers to small businesses, are essential. This partner ecosystem continues to evolve to meet the specific challenges encountered in the public sector.

Indeed, let’s elaborate on each recommendation for federal agencies to leverage cloud technology for accelerated modernization:

Hybrid Multi-Cloud Adoption:

  • Federal agencies should prioritize adopting hybrid cloud solutions, combining public and private cloud environments. This approach provides the flexibility needed to support various government programs and services.
  • Unlike relying solely on a single cloud provider, adopting a hybrid multi-cloud strategy allows agencies to choose the most suitable cloud services for different tasks, optimizing cost-effectiveness and performance.

Enhanced Edge Support:

  • In today’s digital landscape, citizens expect to engage with government services using their smartphones and tablets. To meet these expectations, federal agencies should invest in edge computing.
  • Edge computing extends the digital environment securely to the user, ensuring fast and reliable access to government services on mobile devices. It’s especially crucial for scenarios where data and intelligence systems are required in remote or challenging locations.

Business Process Modernization:

  • Federal agencies should shift their focus from merely counting the closure of data centers or migrating legacy applications to the cloud. The true essence of modernization lies in optimizing critical business processes.
  • By optimizing business processes, agencies can significantly improve citizen services, enhance security measures, and make mission-critical tasks more efficient. This approach aligns modernization efforts with overarching government goals.

Open Ecosystem Collaboration:

  • Collaboration with various cloud and infrastructure vendors is essential for federal agencies. The goal is to ensure seamless interoperability between systems and services, which is critical for effective modernization.
  • Agencies should actively engage with multiple vendors, challenging them to provide solutions that work together cohesively. This collaborative approach encourages delivering cloud-native solutions as services, enhancing agility and flexibility.

Streamlined FedRAMP Certification: 

  • The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) certification process is a crucial security requirement for federal information systems. However, this process can be complex and time-consuming.
  • To expedite modernization efforts, agencies should advocate for simplifying and automating the FedRAMP certification process. This includes reducing administrative burdens, fostering agency reciprocity, and adequately funding the FedRAMP Program Office.

By following these recommendations, federal agencies can leverage cloud technology more effectively to accelerate their modernization efforts. This approach enhances citizen services, strengthens security measures, and ensures that government missions are carried out efficiently and securely in an ever-evolving digital landscape.