Project Nimbus
Project Nimbus (Template:Lang-he) is a significant, multi-year initiative spearheaded by the Government Procurement Administration within the General Accountant's Office at the Ministry of Finance in Israel, in collaboration with other governmental entities.[1] Its primary aim is to transition Israel's governmental computing infrastructure to cloud computing. This initiative represents a pivotal shift in how governmental IT services are managed, promoting efficiency, security, and innovation.
Background
The concept of Project Nimbus was formalized by a government decision in September 2017, which outlined the transition of governmental computing infrastructures to a cloud computing model. This transition is a part of Israel's broader strategy to enhance its technological infrastructure, improve public services through digital transformation, and secure national data sovereignty.
Implementation
Project Nimbus is being implemented in several phases, with the public phase having commenced in January 2020. This project is notable for its collaborative nature, involving various governmental bodies beyond the Government Procurement Administration. Participants include the Government ICT Authority in the National Digital Ministry, the Legal Office in the Ministry of Finance, the National Cyber Directorate, the Budgets Department, the Ministry of Defense, and the IDF.
A significant milestone of Project Nimbus was the tender process that resulted in the selection of Amazon (through Amazon Web Services) and Google (through Google Cloud Platform) to establish cloud computing sites within Israel [2]. This development is part of Israel's strategic initiative to foster the local technological advancement, ensure the continuity of governmental services, and maintain data sovereignty under Israeli law.
Objectives
The overarching goal of Project Nimbus is to provide a comprehensive framework for the delivery of cloud services to the Israeli government. The project aims to address various aspects of cloud service provision, including the actual delivery mechanism, the formulation of governmental policies concerning cloud computing, migration to cloud services, modernization of existing services, and the ongoing management, control, and optimization of cloud-based activities.
Advantages
Operational Continuity: Ensures the continuity and resilience of services, even in instances of global internet disconnection. Efficiency: Guarantees optimal performance and minimal response times for governmental digital services. Sovereignty: Ensures that all services and data are governed by Israeli law, maintaining national control over critical infrastructure. Local Investment: Involves significant financial investment from cloud service providers in establishing local infrastructure, boosting the economy. Employment: Creates thousands of jobs related to the operation and maintenance of cloud infrastructure and services. Economic Development: Spurs the development of local industries related to cloud technologies and services.
Stages
The project is being rolled out in several stages, each designed to build upon the previous one to ensure a smooth transition to cloud computing for government agencies. The stages cover the initial tender and selection of cloud service providers, the establishment of a Cloud Center of Excellence (CCoE), the selection of Israeli suppliers for migration support, and the final optimization of cloud services for governmental operations.
References
- ^ "The Government of Israel Transitions to Cloud - the Nimbus Project". gov. October 26, 2022. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
- ^ "Google's Project Nimbus a 'Game-Changer' for Israel, Tech Experts Say of Platform at Center of Row". themedialine. October 26, 2022. Retrieved 2024-03-05.