PUBLIC SECTOR PODCAST Delivering Digital Solutions Together for Canada
Delivering innovative and seamless digital solutions to both internal government users and Canadian citizens
Show Notes
In this episode of Public Sector Podcast, we explore the evolving role of Shared Services Canada (SSC) in delivering innovative and seamless digital solutions to both internal government users and Canadian citizens. Our guest, a seasoned professional from SSC, provides insights into how the department collaborates with government agencies and industry partners to transform digital infrastructure, enhance user experiences, and embrace modern technology.
What is Shared Services Canada?
Shared Services Canada was established to streamline IT services across the federal government. Acting as the primary infrastructure provider for most Government of Canada departments, SSC delivers:
- Connectivity Services: Enabling remote, hybrid, and in-office work through robust, seamless network solutions.
- Hosting Platforms: Balancing legacy data centers, enterprise data centers, and cloud solutions for secure and scalable service delivery.
- Digital Solutions: Supporting tools like Microsoft 365 and enhancing telephony, mobility, and collaboration platforms.
- Cybersecurity Services: Embedding zero-trust principles across all solutions to ensure secure access and operations.
The department’s mission is to not only maintain existing infrastructure but also evolve with technological advancements to meet the growing demands of users.
Key Initiatives and Strategies
- Enhancing Connectivity Services:
SSC aims to create a seamless experience akin to mobile device usage, where users can access services without worrying about underlying networks, VPNs, or device compatibility. Although challenges like Wi-Fi availability in government buildings remain, the goal is a simplified, reliable, and user-centric connectivity framework.
- Transitioning to Cloud and Enterprise Solutions:
SSC is working with the Treasury Board Secretariat to refine the framework for adopting cloud solutions. By leveraging software-as-a-service (SaaS) and platform-as-a-service (PaaS) options, the government aims to reduce redundancy and enhance efficiency. This shift focuses on enabling departments to utilise shared platforms for greater flexibility and scalability.
- Optimizing Hosting and Application Development:
Balancing legacy infrastructure with modern solutions, SSC is prioritizing enterprise data centers and cloud adoption. The department is fostering partnerships with agencies to ensure software and application development is streamlined and standardised, benefiting developers and end-users alike.
- Cybersecurity Through Zero-Trust Principles:
Cybersecurity remains at the heart of SSC’s operations. By embedding zero-trust principles, the department ensures that users experience secure and seamless service access without additional complexity.
- Simplifying Processes and Collaboration:
A critical part of SSC’s roadmap is reducing the layers between end-users and services. By reevaluating internal processes, integrating tools, and collaborating with departments and vendors, SSC aims to create a more streamlined and efficient service delivery model.
The Role of Collaboration
The episode underscores the importance of partnerships in achieving SSC’s goals. Collaboration is not limited to government agencies but extends to industry partners and vendors. This collective effort is vital for removing bottlenecks, enhancing service efficiency, and aligning government digital services with the user experiences Canadians enjoy in the private sector.
Driving Innovation Through Modernisation
Modernising IT service delivery is at the core of SSC's vision. The department is actively embracing innovations in:
- Wi-Fi Expansion: Piloting new approaches, such as software-defined networks, to enhance connectivity across government facilities.
- Cloud Migration: Establishing clear guidelines for transitioning to cloud services while maintaining secure and stable operations.
- Digital Communication Tools: Expanding and upgrading collaboration platforms to meet evolving workplace needs.
SSC also recognizes that foundational improvements in processes, IT service management (ITSM), monitoring, and change management are crucial to making these technological advancements successful.
Looking Ahead: A Seamless Government Experience
As SSC continues its digital transformation journey, its focus remains on delivering user-friendly, secure, and reliable services that align with the modern digital experiences Canadians expect. By working with federal departments and industry partners, SSC is building the foundation for a government that operates with the efficiency and responsiveness of the private sector.
The episode concludes with a call to action: a collective effort to simplify and modernise service delivery, ensuring a better digital experience for all Canadians.
Key Takeaways:
- Shared Services Canada plays a vital role in modernising federal IT infrastructure.
- Collaboration among government agencies, departments, and industry partners is essential for success.
- A focus on seamless, user-centric services is driving SSC's digital transformation.
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