The government cloud computing strategy paper, April 2011, proposes a whole-of-government policy positioning on cloud computing, with emphasis on security and implementation should be considered in alignment to Australian government security policy and data centre management strategy reform.

Security is a top priority for government when considering cloud deployment. The Australian national cyber security policy recognises that, in order for Australia to operate in a digital economy and embrace the new service IT models and technologies such as cloud computing and virtualisation, government agencies must have clear understanding of the risk and security threats that these technologies presents.

Government Cloud Forum Australia, addresses the key issues and challenges the Australian ICT senior executives deal with in the process of considering and migrating to a government cloud environment. The implications that have on the national-security policy and other ICT initiatives such the Data Center Management Reform will also be addressed.