Maldives Advances Digital Governance with New Crisis Response Strategy

The Maldives is making strides towards a digital governance system, with the National Center for Information Technology (NCIT) spearheading efforts to ensure uninterrupted government services during times of crisis. 

The Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology is currently developing an implementation plan to restore services and maintain operations in the event of a disaster or crisis, whether natural or man-made.

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This initiative is part of the World Bank-funded Digital Maldives for Adaptation, Decentralisation, and Diversification (DMED) project. Sri Lanka-based KBSL Information Technologies Limited, a company with over three decades of experience in the information technology sector, has been tasked with preparing the Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Plan for NCIT.

The agreement, signed by NCIT’s Head and Minister of State Dr Mohamed Kinaanath on behalf of the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology, and Krishan Perera, Associate Vice President for International Business at KBSL, outlines the framework for the project. The contract, valued at USD 45,525, stipulates that the work must be completed within four months. The Ministry has emphasized that the plan will be aligned with international standards.

The plan will include comprehensive risk assessments of the existing 22-year-old infrastructure and cover various potential crises, including natural disasters, cyber-attacks, power outages, and fires. It will also define the necessary skills and training required for government employees to effectively implement the plan. At the conclusion of the contract, the government will have a detailed operational manual to guide its response in times of crisis.

While multiple government agencies already offer services online, the NCIT will take the lead in executing this crucial project.