Name in original language
Valtiovarainministeriö päivitti valtionhallinnon pilvilinjaukset
Initiative overview
In 2023, Finland’s Ministry of Finance updated the central government’s guidelines on the use of cloud services. These changes respond to the growing need for more flexible, efficient, and secure digital systems across public administration. As government operations become increasingly digital, cloud services offer opportunities to improve service delivery, reduce costs, and support remote access. At the same time, these changes raise important questions about data protection, especially when handling confidential or sensitive information.
The main goal of the updated policy is to promote a “Cloud First” approach. This means that cloud-based solutions should be the default choice when public authorities plan new digital services or update existing systems. However, the policy also makes clear that security and legal requirements must always be met. Special attention is given to how public and confidential data is stored and managed in cloud environments, to ensure that information is handled responsibly and in line with national and EU data protection laws.
The updated guidelines provide practical support for government departments and agencies. They include rules on risk management, supplier responsibilities, and technical requirements for cloud use. The policy encourages organisations to evaluate the benefits and risks of cloud services early in the planning process. It also promotes cooperation between different public bodies to share knowledge and develop common practices.
These updates build on earlier cloud strategies and reflect Finland’s broader digital goals. As more government services move online, the new policy framework helps ensure that cloud adoption happens in a secure, consistent, and well-governed way across the public sector.
