In other public sector ICT and digital news for the 20th of July
Cloud titan added to Federal's certified cloud list, SA reveals timeframe for major system replacement, and WA's new tech-savvy top cop gets started. Overseas, the UK provides clues into the future regulatory approach for AI and drones, and the demand for tech skills is still not slowing down.
STATE BY STATE
Federal cloud list grows
Google is the ninth Cloud Services supplier to receive a 'strategic' certification under the Australian Government's Hosting Certification Framework. The Framework intends to ensure that government data has appropriate privacy, sovereignty, and security controls. "Strategic: represents the highest level of assurance and is only available to Service Providers that allow the government to specify ownership and control conditions," according to the DTA. The eight other 'strategic' certified Cloud Services suppliers are AWS, AUCloud, IBM, Kyndryl, Microsoft, Oracle, Sliced Tech and Vault Cloud.
Vic seeks new mental health Commissioners
Mental health is a Victorian Government focus and received major budget backing. Victoria's 2022-23 budget allocated $64.8 million to establish a 'contemporary mental health information infrastructure' with electronic mental health and wellbeing records, information and data exchange and a portal to support sufferers to receive personalised and integrated services. The State is now looking for Commissioners to appoint to its new Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission. The new independent statutory authority will "hold government to account for the performance, quality and safety of Victoria's mental health and wellbeing system." The Commission will begin in 2023, and the State expects the Commissioners to be named by the end of 2022.
New SA finance management system
The South Australian Government's financial management system (called Masterpiece) will be replaced by June 2025, according to comments from Treasurer Stephen Mullighan. Mullighan said that his timeframe is "based on the department getting its project team together, scoping the work and going out to market with an understanding of what is currently available on the market."
NZ promotes big password energy
Governments are increasingly taking a whole of economy approach to cyber security, as demonstrated by CERT NZ which is launching a campaign for citizens to take their passwords and cyber security seriously. The Big Password Energy campaign encourages New Zealanders to be "cyber confident and capable by making sure [their] device and online accounts are protected with the mean-est, strong-est passwords around."
WA gets new Police Commissioner
Col Blanch has started his role as WA's new Police Commissioner, replacing Chris Dawson who has become state governor. When announcing the appointment in June, Police Minister Paul Papalia said that as Deputy Commissioner, "Mr Blanch has been directly responsible for transforming policing in the State through employing cutting-edge technology to combine real time intelligence with operations."
INTERNATIONAL
UK planning new AI rules
The UK Government intends to create an AI regulation regime that is "clear, innovation-friendly and flexible," according to a new policy statement called Establishing a pro-innovation approach to regulating AI. The UK will develop AI rules that "support responsible innovation in AI - unleashing the full potential of new technologies, while keeping people safe and secure." A white paper and public consultation process will commence in late 2022.
High expectations for drones
The UK Government has revealed several projects to support the commercialisation and use of drone technologies. "Our vision is that by 2030 commercial drones will be commonplace in the UK in a way that safely benefits the economy and wider society. Drones will deliver new capabilities, boost productivity and reduce emissions and risk to life, while sharing airspace equitably and safely with other users." Identified use cases include medication delivery, infrastructure monitoring and search and rescue.
Tech jobs jump in UK
Fourteen percent of UK jobs are tech roles, up from 11 percent three years ago, according to research done by industry body TechNation. "Roles for software developers continue to remain the most in-demand by companies, while there has also been a strong uptick in hiring for security roles by companies that are adapting to business challenges."