National Council approves million-euro loan for new cloud infrastructure
Published: Wednesday, Sep 25th 2024, 12:40
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The federal government is to modernize its own cloud infrastructure and thus drive forward the digital transformation. The "Swiss Government Cloud" is set to cost just under CHF 320 million. On Wednesday, the National Council was the first chamber to approve a partial amount without a dissenting vote.
Parliament can decide on a commitment credit of CHF 246.9 million. The total cost of the project is CHF 319.4 million. This also includes own contributions and investments by the Federal Office of Information Technology and Telecommunications (FOITT) over the entire duration of the program as well as expenditure that will arise as early as 2024 as a result of preparatory work.
According to the Finance Committee of the National Council (FK-N), the "Swiss Government Cloud" (SGC) is a decisive basis for successfully mastering the major digitalization challenges facing the Confederation, as spokesperson Tamara Funiciello (SP/BE) stated.
Open to cantons and municipalities
For some time now, the Federal Administration has been operating its applications in its own data centers, known as private clouds, and in data centers operated by external providers, known as public clouds. The current cloud infrastructure has reached the end of its life cycle, as Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter explained.
The Federal Council is therefore proposing to modernize the independent digital cloud. It should be designed for the requirements and needs of the federal authorities. Technically, however, the data cloud should be structured in such a way that cantons, cities and municipalities could also use it. However, the "Swiss Government Cloud" will not provide any services for the private sector.
For the FK-N, it is important that "where possible" open standards, open source software and companies based in Switzerland are given preferential treatment in procurement in connection with the SGC. The National Council approved a corresponding amendment to the federal decree. This will now go to the Council of States.
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