This presentation was given to the Tomorrow Ready CIO breakfast on 7 Mar 13 in Canberra. It covers the development of the Data Centre Strategy, the subsequent panel establishment, the Data Centre as a Service Multi Use List, guidelines produced by DSD and AGIMO for the use of cloud, and a brief view of the future.

The DC Strategy 2010-25 is aimed at avoiding $1b in data centre costs over 10-15 years. It was developed in response to the recommendations of Sir Peter Gershon's Review of the use of ICT in the Australian Government in 2008.

Established as part of the DC Strategy, the Facilities Panel includes some 20 sites across Australia. Over $300m of contracts have been established through the panel to date, avoiding some $24m in costs.

Established in October 2012, the MUL covers 50 vendors and over 1200 different services. The third tranche of applications for inclusion closed in February 2013 and more vendors and services are expected to be added shortly. The full list of services is available here: http://agimo.gov.au/files/2013/02/DCaaS-Service-Details_20130131-V2-Public....

DCaaS vendors were asked to describe the services they were offering by categories and service levels, rather than meeting a specific statement of requirement. This ensured the services did not have to be specifically designed for government but were closer to a Commercial Off The Shelf approach.

Using a standardised head agreement, templated quotation forms and methods such as compulsory arbitration, the DCaaS MUL is designed to simplify procurement of cloud and cloud-like services in orders under $80,000 and with a duration of less than 12 months.

DCaaS has proven to be a very useful method for delivering services very quickly. Quote turn arounds of a week, and overnight establishment of services have changed the manner in which ICT is procured at this level.

Vendors are required to describe the location of the services they are offering and the level to which these are accredited. Lessons learned in the first few procurements have indicated that additional work, such as submitting system security plans, etc. may further decrease the time required to get a service into production.

Finance, through AGIMO has provided a range of guidelines for the use of cloud services: http://agimo.gov.au/policy-guides-procurement/cloud/

DSD has also produced security guidance: http://www.dsd.gov.au/infosec/cloudsecurity.htm

Given the ease with which cloud solutions can be procured, the range of these services and the speed of deployment, it is likely that the business will increase the pressure on CIOs to deliver such services or, if these aren't forthcoming, procure them without the CIO's assistance.

To remain engaged with the business, the Tomorrow Ready CIO will need to become a broker of cloud services not a blocker.