Sind expresses conditional consent to implement Cloud Policy
Sind has expressed conditional consent to implement the Cloud Policy to protect online data.
However, the authorities of Punjab, KPK, Balochistan, AJK, and GB have agreed to implement it.
Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Syed Amin Ul Haque has urged all the provinces including AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan to implement the Cloud Policy.
He was chairing a meeting regarding the implementation of Cloud Policy here on Wednesday.
Authorities from four provinces including AJK and GB attended the meeting through video link. Secretary IT Dr. Sohail Rajput, MD Pakistan Software Export Board Osman Nasir, and senior officers of the Ministry of IT were also present in the meeting.
While addressing the meeting, Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Syed Amin Ul Haque said that the approval of Cloud Policy by the Federal cabinet is great success.
The objective of the Cloud Policy is to make things better, adding that we have to take along the provinces. He said that implementation of Cloud Policy by all the provinces including AJK and GB is vital. Investment in the country will increase following the implementation of the Cloud Policy, he added.
The Federal Minister for IT said that data will not only be secured by the implementation of Cloud Policy but will also be helpful for transparency.
He said that issues of connectivity in AJK and GB will be resolved on a priority basis. Steps are underway for improving connectivity in Balochistan, he said.
Addressing the meeting, Secretary IT Dr. Sohail Rajput emphasized aligning the Cloud Policy of each province including AJK and GB with the Cloud Policy of Federation.
Cabinet Approves Cloud Policy to Protect Data
Earlier, Federal Cabinet had approved Cloud First Policy and Personal Data Protection Bill.
Federal Minister for Information Technology & Telecommunication Syed Amin-Ul-Haque in a statement said that the Cabinet has approved the Personal Data Protection Bill in principle after which it will be presented in Parliament.
This bill will become an act after approval The bill aims to ensure the privacy of online data, especially for citizens, public and private entities, while Cloud First policy will cover federal ministries, departments, and autonomous entities.
The Syed Amin-Ul-Haque thanked Prime Minister Imran Khan and all the members of the Federal Cabinet for approving the policy and the bill and said that this process would help Pakistan to adapt to the digital world in terms of global requirements.
Personal Data Protection Bill in Pakistan
Referring to the Personal Data Protection Bill, the Federal Minister for IT said; “Its primary objective is to ensure the protection of online data, information, and privacy of Pakistani citizens while maintaining their privacy.
In this regard, all relevant public and private institutions will ensure that their data, services, ICT products, and systems are in line with the requirements of cybersecurity”.
He said that regular meetings of the Drafting Committee of Personal Data Protection Bill were held not only in these meetings but also in the meetings of the relevant committees they have shown their complete satisfaction with the draft.
Be it the Personal Data Protection Bill or the Cyber Security Policy, the top priorities in both our national security and the complete protection of the online data and personal information of common citizens and businesses.
Referring to the details of Cloud First policy, Syed Amin-Ul-Haque said that the process of heavy spending and upgrading of various data centers of ministries and Departments is difficult for which it was necessary to have a common platform, developed countries also receive cloud services for his government departments to secure their official data.
He said that Data Centers of Federal Ministries and Departments will be phased into the cloud with the required requirements which will reduce government expenditure, protect data and increase the efficiency of the department’s online activities and services.
“The Cloud Board will consist of Secretary IT as Chairman, Chief Secretaries of the four provinces and two IT experts. The Cloud Office will oversee the accreditation, quality, security, and departmental IT affairs of Cloud Service Providers.” He added.
Syed Amin-Ul-Haque said that Federal ministries and more than 200 departments, authorities, and autonomous bodies each have their own small or large data center whose operational costs have always been a problem and a burden on the national exchequer.
They will all be able to move to share platforms and get more efficient and secure services than before on a modest monthly payment according to their needs.
“Setting up data centers takes months to purchase equipment. Until the funds are approved, new systems or new digital requirements will emerge, then the cost of other items including the purchase of equipment for each company will be eliminated then the import bill will be minimized,” said Minister IT.
Regarding the procedure, the Federal Minister for IT Syed Amin-Ul-Haque said; the Cloud Board would accredit the cloud service providers with the required capabilities and equipment.
The board will then, through the Planning Commission, and PAPRA, ensure that any federal ministry or agency can review data or equipment requirements and transfer them to the cloud.
Cyber-attack damaged 400 FBR’s virtual Data Machines
The board will also ensure that existing data centers are phased out to the central cloud, while the Operational Office will provide technical assistance to departments about transferring on Clouds.
