Definition

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.

This was last updated in June 2018

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