The use of cloud-based solutions in South Africa is on an upward trajectory. The SA Cloud Market Report 2023 published by BMIT last year, that the compounded annual increase in South Africa\u2019s cloud-based services market will be over 27% in the next five years. Many\u00a0Departments of Public Service and Administration\u00a0can benefit from cloud-based solutions.<\/p>\n
This is in line with the demand for cloud-based services in Africa. According to digital research consultancy\u00a0Xalam Analytics<\/a>,<\/u>\u00a0the industry on the continent consistently shows an annual 25-30% growth rate.<\/p>\n Overcoming Misconceptions in the Public Sector Fortunately, the reality is that South Africa\u2019s\u00a0government\u00a0departments of public service and administration\u00a0are permitted to use\u00a0cloud-based services\u00a0and the\u00a0Department of Public Service and Administration\u00a0(DPSA) have published guidelines set out by the\u00a0Determination and directive on the usage of cloud computing services in the public service<\/a><\/u>\u00a0that outlines the processes that should be followed.<\/p>\n Government Directives Encouraging Cloud Adoption Ministerial Guidance on Cloud Services<\/b> Minister Dlodlo provided details on the three permitted services and four deployment models. These include \u201cPublic Cloud, Government Private Cloud, Hybrid Cloud and Community Cloud.\u00a0 The cloud service models are\u00a0Software as a Service (SaaS),\u00a0Platform as a Service (PaaS)\u00a0and\u00a0Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS),\u201d she said.<\/p>\n The guidelines have been created to provide clear instructions to ensure that government departments can benefit from the efficiency<\/a> of\u00a0cloud services, particularly regarding\u00a0financial management,\u00a0data analytics, security,\u00a0and\u00a0audit\u00a0capabilities available on the cloud.<\/p>\n Step 1: Cloud Readiness Assessment<\/b> Step 2: Business Plan Development<\/b> The\u00a0security\u00a0and ownership of the\u00a0data\u00a0need to be outlined. The level of data needs to be ascertained, and the classification needs to comply with the\u00a0Minimum Information Security Standards (MISS).<\/a>\u00a0The Head of Department must ensure, where possible, that Information classified as\u00a0\u201cSecret\u201d\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0\u201cTop Secret<\/strong>\u201d should prefer not to be moved to a Public, Hybrid or Community cloud service.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n In addition to the contract requirements in the directive, the service provider must also furnish the government department with the following information: This includes all data processing to comply with the\u00a0Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA<\/a>)<\/u>, the geographic location where the data is stored, the jurisdiction which governs the contract\u2019s operations and the area where the data is confined.<\/p>\n Cloud-based service providers can guide the Head of Departments in the public sector to assist with benefitting from the services whilst being compliant with the directive and all relevant legislation.<\/p>\n To facilitate the adoption of\u00a0cloud-based solutions<\/a>, departments can consider platforms like\u00a0Caseware Cloud<\/a><\/u>, which empowers the preparers and reviewers of\u00a0financial statements in public entities<\/a><\/u>, state-owned enterprises, TVET colleges, municipalities, municipal entities, constitutional entities, legislatures, and trading accounts.\u00a0Caseware Cloud<\/a><\/u>\u00a0enables public sector financial professionals to store a single centralized copy of every financial statement engagement and collaborate seamlessly from any location at any time.<\/p>\n
\n<\/b>Many departments of public service and administration\u00a0in South Africa\u2019s\u00a0public sector\u00a0are not benefitting from\u00a0cloud-based\u00a0solutions, being under the impression that the government is limiting the use of these services. This perception is currently preventing many departments from taking advantage of cloud-based services and becoming more efficient and effective in fulfilling their deliverables.<\/p>\n
\nThe directive actively encourages the use of cloud services. According to the directive, \u201cThe Head of Department must ensure that\u00a0Cloud Services\u00a0are the first option explored before any on-premise infrastructure investments are made. This option must be fit for purpose, and preference (not exclusive use) must be given to private government cloud where the capability exists\u201d.<\/p>\n
\nIn a notice by the\u00a0Minister for the Public Service and Administration\u00a0(MPSA), Ms Ayanda Dlodlo, on 10 February 2022, said, \u201cThe purpose of the Determination and Directive is to provide clear guidance to public service departments on adopting and using Cloud Computing services and technologies\u201d.<\/p>\nSteps to Implement Cloud-Based Solutions<\/h3>\n
\nThe first step is to complete a\u00a0cloud readiness\u00a0assessment. This allows the department to understand its current systems and investigate the requirements to suit its objectives.\u00a0\u00a0 The directive states that any consideration for a\u00a0cloud-based solution\u00a0needs to be \u201cfit for purpose\u201d, and the \u201cproper procurement processes\u201d must be adhered to.<\/p>\n
\nThe second step is the business plan, which needs to include the following details: These include the outcome of the risk assessment, the scope of services required, the budget, the cost of ownership, the skills and infrastructure required and the benefit the solution will provide.<\/p>\nHow can Caseware help integrate Cloud Solutions for Public Sector?<\/h3>\n