Bahrain moves to cloud computing

Manama : A meeting of the High Information and Communication Committee held yesterday adopted the cloud computing policy, making the Kingdom the first Arab country to take such an initiative. 

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Deputy Premier, HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa at Gudaibiya Palace.  Deputy Premier, HH Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, and Deputy Premier Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, and committee members attended the meeting.

A detailed presentation was made about cloud computing with regard to its methodology, principles and advantages.

Cloud computing will enable government institutions to focus on the development of their services, which will result in service excellence, elimination of duplications and reduction of operational expenses.

The deputy premier stressed the need to go ahead with the adoption of cloud computing, given its role in reducing expenditure, ensuring the provision of speedy e-services, expanding the scope of work and increasing flexibility and competitiveness. He pointed out that keeping pace with technical and technological progress is the basis of the Kingdom’s global status in the field of e-government, which should continue in order to provide the best and fastest e-government services at the lowest costs.

The committee discussed efforts to increase readiness to face cyber security threats, calling for the need to start implementing standards and systems to identify the threats and put in place a government strategy for cyber security.

e-Governance implementation

The High Information and Communication committee yesterday reviewed a report on implementation of e-governance based on recommendations of the UN report aiming to enhance Bahrain’s standing in UN e-Government indicators-2018.

The panel has requested all ministries to finalise the requirements of the e-services index in the allocated time. It stressed the need to focus on meeting the requirements of open data, and to provide e-content pertaining to sustainable development goals.