Filenews 29 October 2022 - by Eleftheria Paizanou
The new digital gov.cy portal, which hosts more than 350 state digital services, which are categorized into thematic units based on life or business events, essentially functions as a service centre for the transactions of citizens and businesses with the state.
A search function is also offered for quick and easy finding of results. The new internet portal is one of the most important reform projects of the Government and is a key point for the digital transformation of the public service, with high added value and direct impact on the daily life of the citizen, who will be able to gather what he needs to know, communicate and deal with the state. In addition, the new portal also functions as an information centre and a single online presence of the Government, hosting, under one umbrella and with a single identity, all state websites. For this purpose, a holistic development and management of government websites is planned, with a modern communication approach.
On a screen
According to a note from the Deputy Ministry of Research and Innovation, forwarded to the Parliament on the occasion of tomorrow's discussion of the deputy ministry's budget for 2023, the development of government websites is scheduled to be completed in two phases, with the first 65 websites to be developed within the year. The aim of the deputy ministry is to ensure that the entire state fits into one screen, single, easy to use and functional.
It is already progressing with the implementation of the project, for which it is necessary to define the role of "web master / content manager" in each public organization, in order to update and simplify the content.
The development of digital services continues, through the establishment of the specialized team of the Digital Services Factory (DSF) at the Deputy Ministry, where, in collaboration with GDS, new methodologies for the development of digital services (agile / scrum methodology), which will be friendly to the citizen and will serve his needs, are being prepared in the framework of a cooperation contract of € 1.5 million. with GDS.
Today, services are provided digitally for applying for childbirth assistance, for registration in the electoral roll, as well as for maternity, unemployment and sickness benefits. Many other services related to the Land Registry and the Tax Department are also provided electronically. In progress is the digitization of the update of citizens' data, the statutory pension, and the applications for the guarantee of a guaranteed minimum income.
Online identities
According to the Deputy Ministry of Innovation, the catalyst for the modernization of the Public Service is the project of electronic identities. In April 2021, the relevant legislation was approved by the Parliament, in the context of the implementation of the National Electronic Identity Plan (the signature and identification). Based on the planning made, at the end of the year the provider will start providing, on a pilot basis, electronic IDs to the public. The needs for the purchase of a number of electronic IDs for civil servants have already been recorded. The Deputy Ministry will proceed with a tender. Also, specific tests of use cases for the application of electronic identities are identified. It should be noted that the relevant proposal will soon be submitted to the Council of Ministers.
Digital wallets
In March 2023, the implementation of the project on personal digital wallets is expected to start. The funding will be made under the Digital Europe program and will cost a total of €37 million. Personal digital wallets will enable citizens to securely request and receive, store, select, combine and communicate certificates issued by the public service (ID, driver's licence, MOT), with a view to leveraging online public and private services and to sign with qualified electronic signatures.
Digital architecture
For the development of a holistic digital architecture of the Government, as well as an integrated governance framework, which ensures the effective management and continuous revision and upgrade of the agreed architecture of applications, data and technology, a study was carried out for the redesign and modernization of the architecture of the digital infrastructure, data and information systems of the State (Enterprise Architecture study), in collaboration with the organization PD. At the same time, a team has been created within the Deputy Ministry, in which experts from the German organization PD participate, and last September the principles that will govern the new model were defined and should be followed in the development of each new system and digital service, the data policy, as well as the strategic transition of the various - until today scattered - state systems to a government cloud environment (hybrid Government Cloud – Private and Public) and for a comprehensive cybersecurity policy.
These actions aim at establishing Cyprus as a regional telecommunications and data hub, which is a key priority for the Deputy Ministry and the state at large. The implementation of the government cloud is currently under planning.
Other aspirations of the Deputy Minister of State. Innovation
Next year, the Deputy Ministry of Innovation will continue, as it states in its address to the Parliament, the efforts to accelerate the digital transition and the formation of a modern knowledge society, with research, innovation and technological development as its cores. A holistic plan has already been drawn up, to empower businesses and citizens in a sustainable digital future, with greater prosperity and focus on people.
In addition, there are nine strategic objectives, which concern the acceleration of a digital transformation program (eGovernment projects, development of digital services, development and utilization of state-of-the-art technologies, horizontal projects e.g. electronic identity) and ensuring universal access to ultra-high-speed networks and enhancing the demand for broadband services. The development of smart cities, the upskilling of all population groups and the promotion of future skills and a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship will also be promoted. Cooperation at international and regional level will also be strengthened and dispersion mobilization and creation of a favourable environment for attracting investments and the establishment of Cyprus as a regional centre of activity of science, technology, and start-up companies and as a data hub.
At the same time, the aim is to upgrade research capacity (infrastructures and human resources) and promote the commercial exploitation of research results, expand the innovation ecosystem / start-ups and promote innovation in businesses. Finally, the Deputy Ministry aims to implement a comprehensive strategic policy framework for cybersecurity, including the protection of the critical infrastructure of the state and the country.
