This week, the Citizens Against Government Waste put out its new report on cloud computing, called Cloud Computing 201. The group says the publication is aiming to provide a coherent approach to IT at all levels of the government in an effort to gain efficiency and save taxpayers money.

"Government agencies at all levels should procure IT while following rigorous policies and principles for all solutions, including the cloud, and always consider security, reliability, and total cost of ownership," said CAGW President Tom Schatz. "Greater efficiency and cost savings can be achieved with the cloud, but the risks of transitioning to any new tool and method must be addressed proactively."

Schatz said officials should keep in mind that the cloud is one of many solutions that should be looked into, adding that he believes it is simply a computing tool and not an overall strategy thus far. The report recommends improving management of IT budgets, an assessment of current IT inventory and practices and data protection and portability, among other things.

Last year, the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology said cloud computing use in the government should increase. Former federal CIO Vivek Kundra said the technology represents a shift in how CIOs can use cost-effective technology services.