The State has taken a step forward in the technology realm by utilizing the cloud for governmental services.
The Department of Administration’s Office of Information Technology have taken extreme caution to take State software’s and services from local data centers and moved them to the cloud. By permitting this shift, it updates Alaska’s technical infrastructure, which allows easier, more simplified access to data and services that are quicker and allow for growth. It also improves the security of Alaskan’s data and improves overall reliability.
The first phase of migrating data onto the cloud took around nine months. Within that time frame, over 700 applications were able to successfully be moved to the cloud without disrupting services to Alaskans.
The second phase has started and will continue for the next several months. By transferring data, the State can increase storage without the need to buy new hardware or run the risk of losing data by transitioning from one hardware to another.
Governor Mike Dunleavy explains that the whole concept of transferring data to the cloud is to help modernize and secure Alaska’s digital landscape.
“By transitioning to cloud technology, we are not only ensuring the safety of our citizens’ data but also paving the way for a more efficient and flexible government. We are striving to be at the forefront of digital innovation, and cloud migration is an important step,” said Dunleavy.
For most systems, the State can increase storage and computing without buying new hardware, ensure dynamic disaster and ransomware recovery, and adjust capacity quickly based on actual needs. The flexibility inherent in the cloud means less time spent on expensive hardware replacement and more time focusing on providing services through platforms such as MyAlaska and MyADFG or online health, public safety, DMV service, and more.
As for the Department of Administration Commissioner Paula Vrana, she believes that migrating State servers to the cloud is a step forward for State agencies and Alaskans alike.
“Our data will be more secure and State services will be more reliable and accessible for Alaskans. Because of this initiative, Alaskans will be able to do business with the State more confidently and with greater convenience than ever before,” said Vrana.
The collaborative efforts of Alaska’s dedicated IT professionals, working alongside industry-leading partners, is part of a broader endeavor to enhance security and bring many other benefits in terms of scale, performance, and innovation to the State’s digital infrastructure. One of those is laying the foundation for the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, as the State’s cloud platform provides a library of private AI tools which will allow State agencies to quickly develop AI applications for public service.