The FINANCIAL — It’s been a few months since Data Exchange Agency started its operation under the governance of the Ministry of Justice of Georgia but there are already at least several issues to talk about. As the Agency is a newly established governmental body, questions might be raised about its goals and prospects. This article will cover the general topics of the Agency’s activity and provide up-to-date information on its ongoing projects.
Today the governments of most developed countries desperately use information and communication technologies in their day-by-day activity. The level of the penetration of such technologies clocks in its highest indices. Effective and efficient e-governments deploy information and communication technology systems to deliver services through multiple channels that are accessible, fast and secure. As part of the modern world, the country of Georgia is showing positive signs not to fall behind these ongoing processes.
During the last years the initiatives of the Georgian Government to use ICT tools and applications for supporting good governance, strengthening existing relationships and building new partnerships within civil society have had tremendous impact on reforming numerous governmental agencies. With the help of foreign institutions and partners Georgia has already added comprehensive ICT support to the functionality of various ministries and state agencies (i.e. the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Justice and General Prosecutor’s Office, Civil and Public Registry, Notary Chamber, National Archives and others).
After these initial reforms simplicity of communicating with the above mentioned governmental institutions has increased and Georgia has become the leading country in the Caucasus region in terms of ICT usage on the governmental level. But much is left to be done yet. In order to smoothly coordinate the process of exploiting the benefits of ICTs, The Parliament of Georgia passed a law under which the Data Exchange Agency (DEA) was established.
Data Exchange Agency officially started its operation on January 1, 2010. The aim of the Agency is to support the process of electronic data exchange through coordination, acting as a Georgian governmental gateway, as well as focusing on information and cyber security policies.
Currently, the process of data exchange is regulated independently, which itself is connected to difficulties. Additionally various governmental E-services are pulverized making them inconvenient to use. There’s a growing need to provide tools that enable enhanced Government-to-Government, Government-to-Citizen and Government-to-Business communication and collaboration. The lack of information sharing exhibited among the above mentioned directions.
One of the many responsibilities of the Agency is to create and implement such platforms (Georgian governmental gateway), which will turn the existing practice into much more reliable forms of communication. Modern information technological systems are the unchangeable tools to achieve this result.
Technology is at the core of meeting these demands and will ultimately help the government to connect more effectively with constituents. Usages of technology for improving performance will most impact and advance numerous government programmes aiming to simplify the process of data exchange among governmental institutions and the general public – whether this would be ordinary citizens or the business sector.
“The highest levels of integrated data mining, analytics and business intelligence are critical for making informed, timely decisions – thus improving performance and delivering on virtually all government services. Data Exchange Agency’s activity will provide integrated, secure, timely and accurate information flow through a connected government,” Irakli Gvenetadze, Chairman of the Data Exchange Agency, commented.
One of the ongoing projects the agency is currently working on reflects the term “connected government”. This is an e-government portal, which is scheduled to be launched in the coming months. The portal will first and foremost be focused on practical usage with provision of e-services. Visitors will be able to easily find desirable service with a brief description and then communicate with government institutions in a manner that fits their comfort level. All interested parties will be allowed easier access to government services.
“The e-service is a kind of business we are doing with banks through internet banking. Whether you are an ordinary citizen, government representative or businessman, you can find an appropriate service on the portal. This is “one-stop-shop” ability of obtaining information and enjoying services in one place, easily and comfortably. With this portal everyone will be able to conduct business with government agencies without leaving their residence or office. The only thing required for this is a net-connected computer,” said Irakli Gvenetadze, Chairman of the Data Exchange Agency.
The Agency has no time for determining its customer profile. As it is bound to provide all crucial ICT services, customer classification may vary from governmental institutions to the private-sector.
“As a government operated agency we have the capacity and competence to be able to take on a project of sizable magnitude. At the next stage of our operation we will surely offer high-quality ICT services to various segments of the private-sector. We will look for private-sector requirements to determine how to meet their needs simultaneously,” said Mr. Gvenetadze.
One of the main issues the Agency will also take care of is a concern over information security. This is one out of many fundamental functions the agency is associated with. The Government holds highly sensitive and critical data; it is faced with the huge responsibility of data stewardship. To prevent information fraud, for the first time in Georgia, Data Exchange Agency created CERT.gov.ge (Computer Emergency Response Team). The primary mission of CERT includes: Monitoring of the Georgian Governmental Network, defending critical infrastructures, incident analyzing, responding to cyber attacks and enhancing information security environment.
The agency actively cooperates with various international organizations and foreign institutions. Their continuous support plays a crucial role for further development. As we live in a rapidly changing world the agency seeks the industry’s best practices, tools and guidance to meet the 21st century’s technological demands.
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