Digital

Cloud first

Cloud is essential to achieving our Digital Ambitions for Scotland

The use of cloud services can help organisations to:

• be environmentally sustainable
• operate efficiently and cost-effectively
• be flexible and responsive
• decrease delivery time
• reduce risk
• increase resilience
• strengthen cyber security

Our ‘cloud first’ approach means that public cloud will be the default delivery model for user-focused services.  When introducing new services or updating existing ones, organisations will consider the use of public cloud services first, before other options.

We do not advocate a wholesale migration to cloud.  While public cloud services will be the appropriate choice in most cases, organisations should evaluate alternatives in exceptional circumstances.

The Scottish Government will work with the Scottish public sector to support the delivery of cloud services that meet the Digital Scotland Service Standard.

See the Cloud First page for more information.

Documents

• Cloud Primer
• Cloud Principles
• Benefits of Cloud