The Advisory Council on ICT Assessment (AcICT) has developed the guidance ‘Loop niet met je hoofd in de wolken’ (Don’t keep your head in the clouds). This practical guide helps executives, CIOs, CTOs, and other stakeholders make well-founded decisions about adopting cloud services.
Cloud technology plays an increasingly significant role in government organisations’ ICT. It affects continuity and strategic development. While focusing solely on the benefits may quickly suggest a logical solution to various ICT challenges, a sound choice requires considering all aspects.
4 key recommendations
The guidance elaborates on 4 recommendations based on recent research and public case studies:
- Carefully assess strategic dependencies, such as lock-in risks, exit options, and long-term impact.
- Ensure a realistic cost-benefit analysis, including not just initial costs but also management, migration, and risks.
- Define acceptable risks in advance, such as those related to privacy, security, continuity, and oversight.
- Explicitly establish governance and responsibilities, clarifying who is accountable for what and how oversight is organised.
Using current examples, AcICT demonstrates that the focus should not be solely on the benefits but on the full picture.
Developing your own cloud strategy
The guidance provides a foundation for formulating or evaluating your own cloud strategy. For more information, visit the Advisory Council on ICT Assessment website (Dutch).
