The Cloud Imperative: Better Collaboration, Better Service, Better CostThis paper is a distillation of the SLG Cloud Commission’s efforts. It addresses cloud access and deployment challenges that are unique to states and localities — including procurement practices — and provides recommendations for surmounting barriers. In producing its recommendations, the Commission considered delivery of critical services to the public, such as healthcare, human services, and education, and discussed ways that large, complex programs can best leverage the cloud.While the paper addresses technical subjects, it also covers business and policy issues for a broad audience. A document targeting only technologists would do little to move the adoption of cloud computing forward or speed the delivery of enhanced government services to constituents. Building on its knowledge of technology innovation and business process re-engineering, the Commission seeks to establish a widely shared communication process that draws all state and local stakeholders into a common cloud computing vision: better collaboration within and between government agencies; better service to government employees, to the public and to citizens; and all delivered at a better cost to taxpayers.State & Local Government Cloud Commission (SLG-CC)SLG-CC_0b6b50c0-641d-11e1-8d3e-5a117a64ea2a... in September 2011 the TechAmerica Foundationformed a group of experts to develop guidance for helpingstate and local governments evaluate, adopt and implementcloud computing. This State and Local Government CloudCommission (SLG-CC) initiative follows the Foundation’searlier release of a blueprint for the U.S. federal government’sadoption of cloud computing, which supported the ObamaAdministration’s cloud-first strategy for government technologyand for driving U.S. commercial leadership and innovation.TechAmerica FoundationTarkan ManerSLG-CC Chair. Wyse Technology, Inc.Daniel KentSLG-CC Vice-Chair, Cisco Systems, Inc.David L. CohnSLG-CC Vice-Chair, IBMJennifer KerberPresident, TechAmerica FoundationState GovernmentsLocal GovernmentsBetter Collaboration, Better Service, Better Cost_0b6b5322-641d-11e1-8d3e-5a117a64ea2aTo develop guidance for helping state and local governments evaluate, adopt and implement cloud computing._0b6b5408-641d-11e1-8d3e-5a117a64ea2aUnderstandingUnderstanding Cloud Technology_0b6b54c6-641d-11e1-8d3e-5a117a64ea2a1SelectionPicking the Right Cloud Solution_0b6b557a-641d-11e1-8d3e-5a117a64ea2a1.1Physical LayerPhysical Layer Considerations_0b6b5624-641d-11e1-8d3e-5a117a64ea2a1.1.1Abstraction LayerAbstraction Layer Considerations_0b6b56e2-641d-11e1-8d3e-5a117a64ea2a1.1.2Service ModelsService Models_0b6b5796-641d-11e1-8d3e-5a117a64ea2a1.1.3Service LayerService Layer_0b6b585e-641d-11e1-8d3e-5a117a64ea2a1.1.4TechnologyKey Technology Issues_0b6b5926-641d-11e1-8d3e-5a117a64ea2a1.2PortabilityPortability_0b6b5a02-641d-11e1-8d3e-5a117a64ea2a1.2.1Security and PrivacySecurity and Privacy_0b6b5ad4-641d-11e1-8d3e-5a117a64ea2a1.2.2Data ProtectionData Protection_0b6b5bb0-641d-11e1-8d3e-5a117a64ea2a1.2.2.1Identity ManagementIdentity Management_0b6b5c8c-641d-11e1-8d3e-5a117a64ea2a1.2.2.2Incident ResponseSecurity Incident Response Vulnerability and Risk Management_0b6b5d68-641d-11e1-8d3e-5a117a64ea2a1.2.2.3Vulnerability and RiskVulnerability and Risk Management_0b6b5e4e-641d-11e1-8d3e-5a117a64ea2a1.2.2.4ImplementationImplementing the Cloud_0b6b5f3e-641d-11e1-8d3e-5a117a64ea2a2Readiness AssessmentCloud Readiness Assessment_0b6b602e-641d-11e1-8d3e-5a117a64ea2a2.1Risk Management and GovernanceRisk Management and Governance_0b6b61fa-641d-11e1-8d3e-5a117a64ea2a2.2Best PracticesImplementation Best Practices_0b6b62fe-641d-11e1-8d3e-5a117a64ea2a2.3Preparation and PlanningPreparing and Planning_0b6b6470-641d-11e1-8d3e-5a117a64ea2a2.3.1Implementation and DeploymentImplementation and Deployment_0b6b657e-641d-11e1-8d3e-5a117a64ea2a2.3.2Program and Project ManagementProgram and Project Management_0b6b66fa-641d-11e1-8d3e-5a117a64ea2a2.3.3Culture ChangeManaging Culture Change_0b6b6812-641d-11e1-8d3e-5a117a64ea2a2.3.4Process TransformationManaging Process Transformation_0b6b6934-641d-11e1-8d3e-5a117a64ea2a2.3.5OperationsOperations_0b6b6a60-641d-11e1-8d3e-5a117a64ea2a2.3.6AcquisitionAcquiring the Cloud_0b6b6b96-641d-11e1-8d3e-5a117a64ea2a3Procurement VehiclesSelecting Procurement Vehicles_0b6b6cc2-641d-11e1-8d3e-5a117a64ea2a3.1DeploymentDeployment Model Considerations_0b6b6df8-641d-11e1-8d3e-5a117a64ea2a3.2Architecture DesignArchitecture Design Considerations_0b6b6f38-641d-11e1-8d3e-5a117a64ea2a3.3ContractsKey Contractual Terms_0b6b7082-641d-11e1-8d3e-5a117a64ea2a3.4FundingFunding Streams_0b6b71cc-641d-11e1-8d3e-5a117a64ea2a3.52012-03-01http://www.techamerica.org/Docs/fileManager.cfm?f=taf_slg_cc.pdfOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net