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PwC charts out IT, security strategy for AP e-initiatives

Our Bureau

HYDERABAD, Jan. 4

IN a trendsetting initiative for a State Government, the global risk management consultancy firm, PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC), has charted out a comprehensive strategy for information technology architecture and e-commerce initiatives of the Andhra Prad esh Government while covering the vital security-related infrastructure.

The Secretary of Information Technology and Communication, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Mr J. Satyanarayana, and the Managing Partner, Assurance and Business Advisory Services, PwC, Mr Tridibes Basu, after the latter handed over the report of the IT and security strategy on a CD-ROM, said this is the first such effort by the State Government to build a secure public key infrastructure (PKI) into the IT architecture and systems.

The PwC team was given the mandate to draw up a standardised IT architecture, develop a security policy along with the necessary public key infrastructure. It was conceptualised to develop a blueprint for information technology defining how IT will be ef fectively used in achieving the AP's e-governance vision, Mr Satyanarayana said.

The security policy encompasses the strategic direction of the State Government regarding information security, defines policies and standards to cover security-related risks and also works up a model for managing security violations while laying down us er guidelines detailing the do's and don'ts.

Public key infrastructure (PKI) is a form of cryptography in which each user has a private key and an associated public key. Distinct public/private key pairs may be used for either signing a message or for data encryption. These ensure identification, a uthentication and authorisation, integrity and non-repudiation.

The approach is to provide PKI infrastructure along with the necessary infrastructure for the State Government, request for proposals for investors to promote investment in the State.

The deliverables in the IT architecture for the Government enabling the State administration to achieve its vision include -- logical application and database architecture, target applications design and technology option, the organisation structure and, lastly, an implementation plan.

The security policy for the Andhra Pradesh Government encompasses the framework for security, including policies and standards, end-user security guidelines and implementation plan, according to Mr Neel Ratan, Executive Director, PwC.

Mr Basu said that operational and risk management services address the risk with ongoing business operations, systems, technology and major change initiatives. The focus is on enabling technologies and processes that impact business controls through thre e core services--control and assurance services, operational risk services and technology risk services.

The State Government had initiated a lot of effort in trying to introduce IT in governance through major projects like the MPHS, CARD, Treasuries, and work is on in police, commercial taxes departments and several other ongoing exercises. To avoid confli cting situations and to remove incompatibility and avoid redundancy, this initiative will go a long way in developing an integrated infrastructure, Mr Satyanarayana said.