MITA enabling Govern to reach important miles

Information technology and the concepts related to it are very dynamic. Therefore, it is imperative that we keep up the pace with the latest technologies, adopt the related legislations and implement the best practices.

During this year, MITA has helped Government in reaching very important milestones. It has assisted the public service in implementing innovative projects, while involving the private sector as a partner or as a supplier. Moreover, it has guided Government in its IT direction, while investing heavily in the required infrastructure to achieve these goals.

CONvErGE - investment in infrastructure and IT systems

A critical project, on which MITA is working, is CONvErGE. Government is investing a total of €57 million, including €28.5 million from European Regional Development Funds.

This project aims at grouping Government digital services, implement new electronic services and operate through one infrastructural framework. This will reduce administrative pressures, while offering better services for citizens, businesses and Government departments.

MITA will be implementing the infrastructure and the platforms required to sustain these systems. There are already nine ministries involved in this project which are being directed by the Office of the Prime Minister. In the future, more ministries will be using this infrastructure, thus making the Public Service more efficient.

An important part of this project is the commissioning of the Government Hybrid Cloud enabling infrastructure which will be commissioned by the end of this year. This project is being implemented with an investment of €15 million, of which 80% are EU funds. This part of the project will enable Government services and solutions to be more efficient, more effective and according to what will be required in the future. This will also enable the modernisation of the line of business of critical systems within Government.

Another important initiative within the CONvErGE project is the Workflow Automation Solution which will be used to implement digital and online processes, as well as e-forms. Through this system, the Public Service will be able to replace outdated systems and digital processes with better solutions that will allow the digitalisation of forms and the provision of better services. This solution should be implemented by next year.

The CONvErGE project also aims at better use of information within the IT systems used by the Public Service. This will be achieved through Base Registers, containing common data which can be used across Government and which will enable the OnceOnly principle. This will enable Government Departments to have access to correct information through the national data portal. This portal will incorporate the Open Data portal that will be used for the European Data Portal.

Along with these horizontal projects, MITA will also be involved in the vertical projects that will be implemented by the different ministries. Although each ministry will be responsible for its own systems, MITA will be providing consultancy for the implementation of certain systems.

Emerging technologies

MITA also wants to have a leading role in the implementation of the Prime Minister’s direction of making Malta the Blockchain Island. For this purpose, the Agency has just launched an Emerging Technologies Lab for MITA and Public Service employees.

Through an investment of €250,000, MITA is providing the required tools for its employees and those from the Public Service to experiment and learn about new technologies such as blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Virtual and Augmented Reality, as well as 3D printing. In the coming weeks, MITA will be organising sessions to create awareness about these technologies and will continue investing in more equipment to use in the lab.

MITA is also assisting tech startups to develop their ideas using blockchain and emerging technologies. Through consultancy services, cash grants, facilities and physical assistance, MITA is helping these new companies to plan and structure themselves according to law requirements, while guiding them to how they should market their idea and pitch it in front of investors. This year, there were two calls for startups, in which over 250 applications from 40 different countries were sent. From these applications, MITA chose 12 ideas of which 8 were related to blockchain.

Being closely involved in blockchain and emerging technologies, MITA decided to give its input during the DELTA Summit by contributing as the official IT partner of the event. Not only did MITA provide its network services, but it was also present through its stand. Our Head of Information Security and Governance Department, Efrem Borg was also chosen as a speaker, while other MITA experts were asked to contribute by moderating talks.

Another important initiative that was implemented this year was the launch, in collaboration with the University of Malta, of scholarships at Masters and Doctorate level for students who would like to specialise in Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies. Over three years, Government will be investing €300,000 to offer opportunities to students and expand their knowledge in such technologies.

Cyber Security

When dealing with emerging technologies, we also need to consider the risks from such technologies. In 2016, Government had tasked MITA with the drafting and launch of a national cyber security strategy which included a national awareness campaign.

In the last weeks, we have launched the second phase of the