iGA backs up 44 government entities operating on Microsoft 365

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) announced the completion of data backup for 44 government entities operating on the Microsoft 365 cloud computing services of the platform.

This project aims to protect the data and ensure rapid recovery if required, as well as achieving data-asset protection in government entities in Bahrain and providing various digital solutions.

The backup includes emails, Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint Online and Exchange.

Hesham Al Hashemi, Director of Government Systems Support and Maintenance at iGA, highlighted that the backup project reflects iGA’s commitment to adopting the cloud-first policy that has been introduced and adopted in the government sector since 2017.

He commended the support of General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior, and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Information and Communication Technology (MCICT), in securing various technologies and digital solutions provided to ministries and authorities to enhance digital performance and achieve national plans and initiatives.

Al Hashemi praised the significant role of Veritas, the implementing partner in this project, for the successful implementation of this project through secure methods and modern technologies. 

This project represents a turning point in ensuring the continuity of providing government data, its safety, and enabling 44 entities to enhance their capabilities in dealing with digital challenges, manage potential risks and easily access and control information through their storage sites, systems, or the cloud, in compliance with established policies and regulations.

Al Hashemi emphasised the importance of implementing the full backup process for all systems in government entities that are used on a daily basis. This is an essential part of the digital infrastructure, especially in the Microsoft 365 system, to ensure the continuity of government operations, preventing data loss due to user errors, addressing cybersecurity threats, and resolving technical issues that may arise within the system. 

It is necessary to comply with legal requirements and regulations regarding data protection along with the ability to deal with accidental deletion and the ability to recover important files and emails when needed.

iGA initiated the backup project last September, starting with preparing the necessary environment on the "Microsoft Azure" platform, followed by transferring the backup copies to the entities using the technical means provided by "Veritas". 

The data will be consistently saved and provided to the entities based on the procedures that align with their needs. The data assets backup methodology encompasses several options including daily backups with a retention period of 35 days, monthly backups with retention for 13 months, and annual backup maintained for a minimum of five years.