Cloud Computing

The Government of Canada (GC) is using private-sector innovation and creativity to respond to the increasing demand for information technology (IT) services and capacity. The use of cloud services will help create the modern infrastructure required for the delivery of programs and services to Canadians.

Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services — servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and more — over the Internet. Companies offering these services are called cloud providers and typically charge for services based on demand.

These new tools will improve services to Canadians by increasing the responsiveness, flexibility and value for money of the applications used to deliver programs and services. The GC’s first set of cloud services will handle unclassified data only, which can include storing publicly accessible collections, such as archived material, government-generated open data, and big data sets generated by the scientific community.

These types of cloud services will also provide safe environments to allow developers to create new IT applications. For instance, the Correctional Services of Canada uses it to manage technical services and facilities at institutions across Canada. This contract demonstrates the effectiveness of using cloud services in government. The GC will build on this success, which targets unclassified information only.

SSC’s customers in federal organizations now have access to a wide and flexible range of capabilities. They can choose to use cloud computing to process, manage or store data.

So far, SSC has awarded 22 contracts for public cloud computing services, and more will follow.  In collaboration with Treasury Board Secretariat, SSC will act as a cloud broker. This means SSC will:

• work with departments and agencies to help them select the right solution for their needs

• provide consistent security and operations

• provide IT stewardship, and

• leverage the buying power of the Government of Canada