Victorian govt's ICT strategy emphasises cloud, mobility, access

The Victorian Coalition government has released its ICT strategy for the next two years, which focuses on cloud, mobility and community access.

Minister for Technology Gordon Rich-Phillips said that the updated strategy would focus on high-impact priorities such as a public cloud framework, mobility technologies and greater community access to government datasets.

The government released its first ICT strategy last year.

“Our first phase focused on foundational, whole-of-government ICT policies and processes, including the appointment of a Chief Technology Advocate,” Rich-Phillips said. “It is important that Victorians have easy access to accurate information and convenient government transactions, which is what we will deliver over the next 18 months.”

The government says it is responding to the community’s wish for transparency, greater flexibility, quick access to information and easier transactions.

The government says the strategy will make it is easier for citizens and businesses to access government services online anywhere, anytime, as well as productivity improvements being realised in the public sector through smart use of technology.

Rich-Phillips said the government will provide regular updates to the strategy to ensure that it takes advantage of opportunities arising from the ever-evolving ICT industry.

The updated strategy can be viewed online. The 10 major points covered are:

• Completion of the Expression of Interest processes to deliver free Wi-Fi services in central Melbourne, Ballarat, Bendigo and aboard V/Line’s VLocity carriages operating between Melbourne and Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Seymour and Traralgon.
• Completion of the outsourcing of shared ICT services provided by CenITex.
• Further savings of $125 million from renegotiation of software contracts and refreshing state purchasing arrangements for desktops, laptops and tablets.
• Implement a whole of Victorian Government infrastructure and services road map.
• Appoint the VicConnect Manager and transition to the VicConnect network and ICT marketplace and commence a refresh of whole of government telecommunication contracts.
• Standardise key ICT systems and related business processes to improve the productivity of government.
• Release more open, accessible and useful data for Victorians, such as additional transport datasets.
• Develop and implement a cloud framework and associated guidelines to assist departments and agencies to take advantage of contemporary ICT.
• Develop and implement a cyber security strategy to enhance protection of government systems and data.
• Implement an ICT workforce development and education plan to improve innovation and risk management.