Use local data centres, NITDA urges MDAs, others

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The National Information Technology Development Agency has urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as private sector organisations to use local data centres operating in the country in storing important information.

Use local data centres, NITDA urges MDAs, others

In a statement made available to our correspondent in Abuja on Monday, the Director-General of NITDA, Dr. Isa Ibrahim, said the hosting of data and other vital information locally had become inevitable given the progress and investment that had been made in the ICTs in the country.

As a subsidiary of NITDA, the Office for Nigerian Content Development in the ICT had in 2016 queried a private sector company for hosting data on the Federal Government’s Treasury Single Account outside the shores of the nation.

Ibrahim said it was disheartening to note the current practice of both public and private sector organisations hosting data offshore despite having highly reliable Tier III Data Centres certified by various international organisations and guaranteeing almost 100 per cent availability as well as multiple layers of security.

The NITDA boss said hosting data locally could guarantee reduction in cost and capital flight, digital job creation, increased security, and increase in tax revenue, thereby boosting the local economy.

He said, “Section 14.1 of the Guidelines for Nigerian Content Development in the ICT makes it mandatory for data and information management firms to host government data within the country.

“Furthermore, as stated in Section 14.3 of the guidelines, the agency is working with local data hosting firms to set appropriate service level requirements and standards for data service provisioning.

“The Office for Nigerian Content Development in the ICT, NITDA’s Special Purpose Vehicle, has been restructured and charged with the responsibility of developing, promoting and monitoring indigenous ICT adoption and utilisation. In addition, adequate measures have been put in place to facilitate full compliance with these guidelines.”

Ibrahim added that should it become inevitable for any organisation to host government data outside the shores of the country, then it must obtain the express approval of the IT agency.

PUNCH

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