How Serverless Computing Can Transform Government
Scale Quickly, Reduce Costs, and Enhance Accessibility While Streamlining Operations
Serverless Computing enables organizations to focus on solving business problems rather than technology problems.
Misleading in name, servers are still used by Cloud Service Providers to execute developer code, but customers don’t have the burden of provisioning, applying security patches, and updating hardware or software. This ultimately boosts productivity, reduces costs, and allows businesses the time to focus on their strategy.
Here are a few ways the U.S. Government can make the most of this minimalistic, Cloud Computing execution model:
1. Cut Costs, Boost Savings
Only pay for resources used
Serverless technology allows government agencies to pay only for the resources they use, rather than maintaining and paying for a fixed amount of server capacity that may or may not be used. This can result in significant cost savings.
Serverless also solves the problem of idle instances. You pay in microseconds, compared to traditional Cloud Computing, where you pay any time the server is running.
Serverless allows for greater cost savings, especially when dealing with bursty or unpredictable workloads. This feature, coupled with automatic scaling and no server management, leads to a lower Total Cost of Ownership (“TCO”).
Serverless platforms can enable developers to split their application into many microservices without worrying about server or container management. This model can offer cost savings especially with microservices that infrequently serve requests.
How Monkton does it…
In addition to Serverless, Monkton invests heavily in Cloud Native services like Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Functions as a Service (FaaS) to provide capabilities our customers need today. This enables us to help customers focus on getting solutions to the Edge when needed.
These services are fully managed by cloud providers like Amazon, Google, and Azure—enabling Monkton to focus on building the best solutions rather than worrying about managing infrastructure. This methodology allows us to define infrastructure as auditable code, consisting of managed components in the cloud so we, and our customers, can focus on delivering the best outcomes.
PaaS and FaaS are entirely different from traditional deployment of cloud infrastructure using Infrastructure as a Service (“IaaS”). Previously, organizations had to manage patches, servers, and ensure that infrastructure hadn’t been compromised themselves. With FaaS and PaaS, most of this is offloaded to the Cloud Service Provider. By leveraging PaaS and FaaS, we can collectively solve customer problems in months—not years— with highly scalable, inexpensive, easily maintainable, and mission solving needs.
2. Scale Only As Needed
Move at mission speed
Government agencies can quickly and easily scale their applications as needed to handle unexpected increased traffic or demand with Serverless technology. This makes it easier to respond to sudden spikes in demand or unexpected events.
As user bases grow or usage increases, applications built with a Serverless infrastructure will scale automatically. In the case that a function needs to run in multiple instances, or rather run an application multiple times on the same computer, with each “instance” operating independently, the vendor’s servers will start up, run, and end applications as needed. No direct human intervention needed.
How Monkton does it…
Delivering outcomes faster requires reusing secure code and infrastructure to go from idea to production ready. By leveraging Cloud Native capabilities, both Infrastructure as Code (“IaC”) and code developed and deployed in FaaS can be reused and developed into libraries that enable more rapid development. This means that from the onset of every project, solutions are built to scale at mission speed. With Cloud Native CI/CD pipelines integrated and enabling rapid deployment, going from project kickoff to production is a task that takes about a week—not months on end.
3. An Agile Mindset
Do less to go faster
An agile approach can reshape how the government works, plans, and can ultimately facilitate faster problem solving. As an iterative approach, agile project management, and software development enables teams to deliver value to their customers faster and with fewer headaches. This approach also takes into consideration that needs change.
Monkton knows that less must be done to move faster. For government to go from idea to production, Serverless technology must be leveraged to deliver capabilities at mission speed.
With Serverless technology, government agencies can quickly deploy and update applications, without having to worry about managing underlying infrastructure. Cloud providers handle the infrastructure, which gives IT departments the freedom to focus on other priorities. This makes it easier to respond to changing requirements or new mandates.
How Monkton does it…
To drive rapid capability delivery for customers, Monkton leverages Cloud Native services like Amazon Web Services GovCloud (“AWS GovCloud”) Functions as a Service (“FaaS”) and Platform as a Service (“PaaS”). PaaS enables us to define, in code, the infrastructure where the cloud-based solution lives. FaaS enables us to simply hand AWS GovCloud compiled code, while Amazon runs it for us, with minimal management interaction.
This approach means developers can focus on building features and iterate faster while spending less time worrying about how to manage them. By leveraging these repeatable processes, code developed in an unclassified environment for development and testing can deploy into an IL-5 accredited environment, which allows for repeated deployment into SECRET and TOP SECRET AWS GovCloud regions.
4. Automate Security Standards
Stay secure by design
Serverless technology can improve security by reducing the attack surface area and regulating access to sensitive data by eliminating the need for government agencies to manage and secure infrastructure. This ultimately reduces the risk of unauthorized access or data breaches.
Instead, cloud providers manage the underlying infrastructure, minimizing the potential for security vulnerabilities. Additionally, many cloud providers offer advanced security features, such as automatic backup, system updates, disaster recovery capabilities, encryption at rest and in transit, and built-in monitoring and logging tools that can help government agencies identify and respond to security threats.
Most importantly, Serverless technology can help government agencies comply with security standards, such as those outlined in the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) or the Department of Defense (DoD) Cloud Computing Security Requirements Guide (SRG), which sets standards for Cloud Service Providers that work with government agencies.
How Monkton does it…
When we founded Monkton in 2016, our vision was enabling developers to start day one creating mobile apps that were secure. “Secure By Design” isn’t just a talking point, it’s the cornerstone of Monkton’s story. We start every project by looking at compliance requirements and charting a plan for how we’ll deliver user success.
5. Create Accessible Applications
Repeatable solutions, access for all
Serverless technology can improve accessibility by making it easier for government agencies to develop and deploy applications that are accessible to individuals with disabilities, as it makes it easier to incorporate accessibility features… for example:
Screen Reader Compatibility: With Serverless technology, it is simpler to create websites and applications that are compatible with screen readers, which can read aloud on-screen content for visually impaired users.
Keyboard Navigation: Applications can be configured to support keyboard navigation, thus helping users with mobility challenges. This means users can access and interact with all features using just the keyboard, replacing the need to use a mouse.
Dynamic Text Scaling: This feature allows the user to adjust the text size according to their needs. It helps users with visual impairments or those with conditions that affect their ability to read small print.
Color Contrast and Themes: It becomes easier to build applications with options for high-contrast color schemes and/or the use of specific color themes. These color combinations increase readability and usability for users with low vision or color perception problems.
Closed Caption and Transcription Services: Serverless technology can be integrated with automated closed captioning and transcription services. These features enable deaf or hard-of-hearing users to access audio or video content within the application.
How Monkton does it…
Monkton’s vision is that security, compliance, and privacy can be accessible for all by creating repeatable solutions for unique mission needs. Compliance and security are baked in from day one, leveraging standards like NIST, NIAP, FedRAMP, HIPAA, and by using our Zero Trust-based patent in partnership with trusted experts from Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google, and more. Monkton’s team has extensive experience in Cloud development, from developing with Cloud Native services to integrating with legacy systems—all with security in mind.
Monkton Hypersonic: Fast, flexible app development
Monkton Hypersonic accelerates and simplifies app development for enterprises and government entities. Given the U.S. spends more than $100 billion each year on outdated IT systems, transitioning to modern mobile apps is crucial.
What is Hypersonic?
Hypersonic is a Serverless, cloud-native platform that allows you build customized, transactional apps quickly and efficiently. Think of it a bit like choosing ingredients at a build-your-own burger place: you define your app’s needs, and Hypersonic constructs it with minimal developer input. It streamlines app creation, handling everything from security to data management with speed and precision.
The Bottom Line: Cloud is Queen
All the subset systems provided by Serverless technology facilitates faster modernization by providing rapid prototyping and development, faster deployment, scalability, improved resource utilization, advanced features and capabilities, and reduced administrative burden. By leveraging these benefits, Government and industry can explore new ideas and opportunities—and bring improved solutions to the public more quickly and efficiently. In the case of Cloud Computing, Serverless is more.
