Washington’s civilian departments are projected to spend nearly $8.3 billion on cloud transition in fiscal year 2025, it has been reported by Clearance Jobs. This represents a significant increase from the previous year and presents a lucrative opportunity for cloud computing firms serving the federal government. UK government departments are also investing heavily into cloud computing transitions.
Who’s hiring?
One company poised to capitalise on this trend is SAP. The German software giant, with a US office in Washington, recently announced that its subsidiary, SAP National Security Services (SAP NS2), received the “2024 Amazon Web Services (AWS) Federal Government Technology Partner of the Year” award. This positions SAP as a key player in the government’s cloud transition.
The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) report (GAO-25-107114) has reported a major opportunity for cloud contractors with eyes on the US federal market. Increased investment in cloud computing by US government agencies is expected to fuel significant demand for skilled professionals in the coming year, potentially generating thousands of new contractor positions. This presents a lucrative opportunity for contractors with the right expertise and security clearances.
The GAO report, titled “CLOUD COMPUTING: Selected Agencies Need to Implement Updated Guidance for Managing Restrictive Licences,” highlights the growing need for cloud expertise within the US federal government. It specifically addresses the challenges agencies face with software licensing restrictions when migrating to the cloud, further emphasising the need for skilled cloud professionals to navigate these complexities.
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What’s driving demand?
Increased Federal Spending: The US government is ramping up its investment in cloud technologies to modernise its IT infrastructure and improve efficiency.
- Cybersecurity concerns: Following the issuance of Executive Order 14028, US agencies are under pressure to enhance cybersecurity, with cloud migration playing a key role
- FedRAMP authorisation: The rigorous FedRAMP authorisation process ensures only highly secure cloud services are used by federal agencies, creating a specialised market for cloud professionals with relevant experience
- Software licensing challenges: As highlighted in the GAO report, navigating complex software licensing agreements and mitigating restrictive practices requires specialised knowledge, creating further demand for cloud experts
How to prepare:
Upskill and certify: Invest in training and certifications to enhance your cloud expertise and demonstrate your skills to potential employers
Security clearance: Explore pathways to obtain the necessary security clearances to work on sensitive government projects
Networking: Connect with US-based recruiters and companies specialising in government contracting
Find Employers Hiring Cleared Talent – ClearanceJobs
What’s happening in the UK?
The UK government has also committed up to £366 million ($461 million) to upgrade key ERP, HR, and finance systems by transitioning them to the cloud, according to Cloud Tech.
The Register reported that SAP has signed a £246 million ($310 million) agreement with His Majesty’s Customs & Revenue (HMRC) to provide cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) over a ten-year period. Deloitte has been chosen to deliver professional services for the same initiative for a maximum of £120 million ($151 million) over a five-year contract.
Related news:
SAP, AWS move BBC’s IT systems to cloud | Advanced Television