Question NW2641 to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
16 November 2020 - NW2641
Bergman, Mr D to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
1. Whether the department uses the WIN system; if not, what (a) system does the department use currently in the Republic’s missions abroad and (b) was the last date the systems were upgraded. 2. What is the name of the person responsible for the maintenance of software and hardware in the Republic’s missions. 3. Whether the department servers in every mission are protected to some sort of criteria; is not, why not, if so, what are the minimum criteria?
Reply:
1. The Department is currently running on a mixed Windows server environment, and is in the process of virtualizing ICT Services, leveraging on Microsoft capabilities as per the Enterprise Agreement signed between DIRCO and Microsoft in March 2020. As part of the project, the Department is implementing Microsoft 365 which include modern workplace.
2. There is a team of ICT officials providing maintenance and support of hardware and software in different regions led by Ms R. Phafane (Director: Infrastructure Management).
3. The Department has initiated a process to modernise the ICT Infrastructure, including the server environment for both Head Office and Missions. The critical security and software licenses have been renewed and implemented as part of short-term interventions to stabilize the ICT environment whilst improving the Cybersecurity posture.