GovCMS and Drupal: A Comprehensive Overview

GovCMS, a tailored distribution of Drupal, is built specifically to meet the Australian government’s website requirements. Based on Drupal Core, GovCMS includes additional features like customized themes, modules, libraries, and installation profiles to align with the unique needs of governmental agencies. A recent blog post published by Interserv explains the differences between and dependencies among Drupal and GovCMS.

Drupal, a widely adopted, open-source Digital Experience Platform (DXP), is renowned for its scalability, security, and flexibility, making it the foundation upon which GovCMS is built. As an open-source platform, Drupal is free to download and use, offering thousands of modules to enhance website functionality. Its reputation for security is fortified by a global security team that monitors vulnerabilities, making it highly reliable for government use.

GovCMS retains Drupal's core benefits—transparency, cost-effectiveness, and scalability—but imposes specific compliance and security policies suited to government standards. While similar in function, GovCMS is more restrictive in configuration and extensions than general Drupal installations, as it must meet Australian security standards.

In conclusion, while GovCMS and Drupal share the same foundation, GovCMS offers a streamlined, compliant solution for government agencies, making it a preferred choice for handling the rigorous requirements of public sector web management.