G-Cloud (Government Cloud)
Government Cloud, also referred to as G-Cloud, is a U.K. government program to promote government-wide adoption of cloud computing.
The G-Cloud framework supports the U.K. government's Cloud First policy, which was introduced in 2013 to encourage public sector organizations to evaluate and pursue cloud-based services rather than on-premises alternatives.
G-Cloud framework
To find technology suppliers and purchase services that are affiliated with the U.K. Government G-Cloud, public sector organizations can use the Digital Marketplace.
Government agencies can buy services via the Digital Marketplace from cloud computing providers, including AWS, Microsoft and Google.
Within the G-Cloud framework, organizations can choose from three categories of cloud services:
- cloud hosting: infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) and platform-as-a-service (PaaS) offerings;
- cloud software: software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications; and
- cloud support: support and maintenance services for cloud hosting and software.
As of the 9th iteration of the G-Cloud Framework, buyers can enter into a contract with their chosen service provider for a maximum term of 24 months with the option to extend.
Beyond G-Cloud, public sector organizations can use the Digital Marketplace to purchase services that fall under two other frameworks from the U.K. government: the Digital Outcomes and Specialists framework and the Crown Hosting Data Centres framework.