Capitalizing on Cloud: Transforming Government IT

IDC Government Insights predicts agencies will spend 5.8 percent of its IT budget on cloud services this year–that’s a 5 percent increase over last year. This means agencies will spend about $6.7 billion on cloud computing.

IDC says infrastructure-as-a-service remains the biggest bucket of spending with about $1.2 billion.

Agencies also are ramping up their spending on software as a service to almost $703 million.

At a recent conference, a DoD official said for the military SaaS has the most potential for both savings and mission benefits.

IDC also predicts agencies will spend about $231 million on platform as a service.

While these numbers sound gaudy.. there is plenty of room for not only more spending, but for agencies to take better advantage of cloud services.

Agencies also are attracted to cloud for its potential security… efficiencies and elasticity to meet mission needs more effectively.

There’s also the network modernization push coming from the Office of Management and Budget that’s driving agencies toward the cloud. Agencies still are spending more than 68 percent of their budget on legacy systems. The cloud offers a path to get off legacy systems. The Federal IT Dashboard says agencies current have about 8.5 percent of all spending on cloud or provisioned services.

By moving to the cloud, network modernization takes on an entirely different concept because the cloud lets you, through technologies like software-defined networking, remain dynamic and fluid in addressing ever-changing needs.

But that idea of fluidity of your network also requires agencies to rethink security, workforce and even pay models. The pay model or the utility model may be among the most difficult obstacle to cloud computing.

The good news is agencies are proving it’s very doable and the acquisition experts in government are figuring out what policy changes are needed.

Moderator

Jason Miller, Federal News Radio

Jason Miller is an executive editor and reporter with Federal News Radio. As executive editor, Jason helps direct the news coverage of the station and works with reporters to ensure a broad range of coverage of federal technology, procurement, finance and human resource news.As a reporter, Jason focuses mainly on technology and procurement issues, including cybersecurity, e-government and acquisition policies and programs.

Panelists

Joe Klimavicz, Chief Information Officer, Department of Justice

Joe Klimavicz became the Justice CIO in May 2014. As CIO, Klimavicz provides  strategic direction, management services and oversight to cross-component  information technology efforts, and IT infrastructure services such as  telecommunications, desktop and data center services and IT security.

Doug Nash, Deputy Chief Information Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture

Doug Nash serves as USDA’s Deputy CIO for Operations and Infrastructure, where he is responsible for providing information technology services and solutions, technical expertise, leadership and the strategic direction and vision essential to the effective and efficient operations of the USDA information technology enterprise.

Doug has spent his career in public service and the private sector, focusing on customer service, mission enablement, and innovation.  He has worked for the federal government since 1991 and in his most recent role as Forest Service CIO.  In addition he has served in a wide variety of senior leadership positions to include Deputy CIO, Director of Information Resources for the Eastern Region, and Director of the Information Solutions Organization.  Prior to joining federal service he worked as a software engineer for TRW Space and Defense Sector, and was a senior consultant for Oracle Corporation’s Federal Services Division.  He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Information Systems from George Mason University, and is a retired United States Army Reserve officer.

Christine Calvosa, Deputy Chief Information Officer, Federal Communications Commission

Christine Calvosa is the Deputy CIO for Digital Design, Information Resiliency and Strategic Communications at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). She joined FCC in December 2015. She is responsible for the front and back-end design, development and delivery of the FCC’s internet and intranet websites; technical development and delivery of geospatial information systems for both public services as well as internal FCC geospatial capabilities; and protecting the FCC IT infrastructure to ensure resiliency, including the sustainment of the FCC Information Security Program which includes a baseline of policies, standards, and guidelines relating to the management, operational, and technical controls necessary for FCC information system infrastructure and operations.

Tim Solms, US Federal and Managing Director Worldwide Government, Juniper Networks

Tim Solms is the Vice President, US Federal and Managing Director of Worldwide Government at Juniper Networks.  In his role he manages the sales, engineering, and operations for the Federal Government’s Defense, Intelligence, and Civilian businesses as well as the Federal Systems Integrators and partners.  Additionally provides executive oversight and support for Juniper’s Government businesses worldwide.

Tim serves as the President of AFCEA’s DC Chapter and Board of Directors and currently serves on several advisory boards in the technology space

Prior to Juniper, Tim was the General Manager for the Microsoft Department of Defense business where he had worldwide responsibility for all aspects of the business supporting the US Department of Defense. Previously Tim had executive management responsibility for the Defense and NATO businesses VMware and Dell where he managed multiple teams and was responsible for sales and solutions in the Intelligence & Homeland Security arena and the combined Federal OCONUS, DoD Healthcare, and Joint/Defense Agencies.  Before joining Dell, Tim enjoyed a career in the United States Army as an attack aviator serving in command and staff positions in the United States and overseas.

Tim graduated from The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina with a B.S. in Business Administration. Tim also enjoys sailing and flying and is a volunteer pilot for Angel Flight and Veteran’s Airlift Command – an organization that flies wounded soldiers to and from home and other activities.

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