NOAA Releases Cloud, Data Strategies

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has released its new data and cloud strategies, which are part of the agency's broader science and technology strategy. 

Acting NOAA Administrator Neil Jacobs said keeping up with the needs of the agency's stakeholders requires both collaboration and partnerships on data and services, Nextgov reported.

“Creative partnerships with commercial cloud providers set NOAA apart from others in making more of its data publicly accessible,” Jacobs said in a statement.

The Data Strategy has five objectives: align data management leadership roles, govern and manage data strategically, share data as widely as possible, promote innovation and quality improvements and engage stakeholders to maximize the value of data. 

More specific objectives include empowering NOAA's chief data officer, establishing a data governance board and developing plans to release data openly and securely.

“The value of NOAA’s data depends on its quality, integrity, and the ability of users to access and use the data with modern, emerging, and innovative cloud-based services,” Jacobs said.

The Cloud Data Strategy also has five goals: rapidly adopt cloud-based services, drive smart cloud migration, ensure secure and broad access to cloud services, provide effective governance for cloud-shared services and empower a cloud-ready workforce. 

NOAA's two strategies are linked to three of the existing technology strategies published by the agency: the Unmanned Systems Strategy, Artificial Intelligence Strategy and 'Omics Strategy, which deals with the biological sciences. Agency officials added that NOAA is currently working on a "Citizen Science Strategy."

“Collectively, they will accelerate the implementation of the most effective science and technology applications to advance NOAA’s mission, including protecting life and property and growing the American Blue Economy,” NOAA said.