Tunisia Launches "TN Government Cloud First Policy" to Promote Cloud Computing in Public Sector
The Tunisian government has introduced the "TN Government Cloud First Policy", aiming to encourage public structures to adopt cloud computing solutions for hosting their software, electronic platforms, and digital infrastructures.
Understanding the "Cloud First" Policy
According to a statement from the Ministry of ICT, the "Cloud First" policy means that public structures must prioritize the use of cloud computing services to manage their information systems. Cloud computing allows for data storage and processing over the internet, offering flexibility, cost savings, and enhanced security compared to traditional local servers. This new policy is based on Decree-Law No. 2023-17 related to cybersecurity, which establishes rules for the use of cloud computing services, whether public, private, or hybrid. A system for classifying cloud computing service providers has also been put in place, with quality labels to ensure the security and reliability of these services.
Levels of Cloud Computing Adoption
The circular describes four levels of cloud computing adoption:
Level 1: Internal Information Systems and Sensitive Data
Internal information systems and sensitive data must be hosted in a private cloud, either on the public structure's premises or by a provider labeled "G-Cloud".
Level 2: Shared Government Applications (G2G)
Shared applications between different government agencies (G2G) must be hosted in government cloud centers or by providers labeled "G-Cloud".
Level 3: Electronic Services for Businesses (G2B) and Citizens (G2C)
Electronic services for businesses (G2B) or citizens (G2C) can be hosted in a private cloud or by providers labeled "N-Cloud".
Level 4: Non-Essential Software and Infrastructures
Non-essential software and infrastructures can be hosted by non-labeled providers.
Why Adopt Cloud Computing?
The use of cloud computing offers several benefits for public structures:
Accessibility
Cloud computing services are accessible from any internet-connected device, facilitating remote work.
Cost Reduction
The pay-per-use model reduces expenses related to purchasing, operating, and maintaining equipment.
Scalability
Hosting capacity and computing resources can be adjusted according to needs.
Flexibility and Mutualization
Flexibility in resource allocation and mutualization enable better resource utilization and reduced energy consumption.
Resilience
Cloud computing improves resilience to cyberattacks and ensures business continuity.
Implementation and Compliance
To succeed in this transition, public structures must use labeled and internationally compliant cloud computing services. They should prioritize software as a service (SaaS), followed by platform as a service (PaaS), and finally infrastructure as a service (IaaS).
