GSA to offer cloud-based email services

The Obama administration has adopted a “cloud first” policy, which encourages federal agencies to move some of its IT programs and data to the cloud. The administration has argued that moving to cloud-based services will help the government save money by reducing the number of expensive data centers needed to store information and power legacy IT programs.

GSA was the first federal agency that moved its email system to the cloud, using Google’s email service. GSA says the move has saved the agency $2 million to date and it’s estimated to slash the agency’s IT costs by $15 million over the next five years. 

The 17 companies will also offer federal agencies and local
governments migration and integration services to help them move to a cloud email system, as well as assist with electronic
records management.

While cloud services have been touted for their cost-saving benefits, some security experts have raised concerns about whether they’re secure enough to protect classified government data.