"Although some larger institutions have previously experimented with public cloud solutions, it has so far required complex procurements and thorough analyses. Now RIT steps in, offering centralized support for joining public clouds, freeing state institutions from time-consuming preliminary work and procurement processes. Additionally, we ensure basic security for users,” explained Ergo Tars, Director of the Estonian IT Centre.
According to Siim Vene, project manager of RIT’s government cloud service department, public cloud services offer institutions flexibility similar to the state cloud, allowing services to be used exactly as needed, without large initial investments. "Using public clouds enables access to extensive technological capabilities, including the development of artificial intelligence, analytics platforms, and cloud-based infrastructure services. These solutions are secure, flexible, and diverse,” explained Vene.
Public clouds offer a combination of cost-effectiveness and a wide range of services, and according to Vene, these services are often more secure than many self-managed systems. However, the responsibility for the data remains with the data owners. “Institutions must themselves assess which data and services are suitable for transfer to the public cloud,” he noted.
Additionally, when adopting public clouds, it must be considered that the processing of sensitive data and national security considerations may limit the use of these services; in such cases, the government cloud is the best choice. According to Vene, it is also important to consider the legal and political risks associated with international service providers. "We have ensured that they meet cybersecurity standards, but nonetheless, we must bear in mind that these are U.S. companies subject to U.S. laws," he clarified.
To raise awareness, a public cloud club was established
To promote public cloud services, RIT has established the C3 (Clear Cloud Club), which brings together IT representatives, architects, and developers from the public sector. The club aims to raise awareness, share experiences, and discuss the possibilities and challenges of using cloud services. "Collaboration brings to light the most interesting topics and pain points, which help shape training needs and future activities," explained Tars.
Club members are offered the opportunity to meet with major cloud service providers who introduce solutions such as artificial intelligence and security, as well as opportunities for open cloud-based analytics platforms. In February, there will be a meeting with Microsoft Azure, and a few months ago, AWS Cloud was introduced.
"The adoption of public clouds in the Estonian public sector is still in its early stages, but the opportunities they offer can take our IT solutions to a new level. RIT's goal is to create a framework that supports the entire public sector in this process," noted Tars.
Public clouds will become available to public sector institutions through RIT starting in February. If interested, please contact us at [email protected].
