The NSW Data Centre Reform Strategy supports the government’s shift to procuring ICT as-a-service by consolidating all NSW Government agency data centres into two modern, reliable, energy efficient, secure and fit-for-purpose facilities. It also provides access to ICT services through the Government Digital Community (GovDC) Marketplace.

All NSW Government agencies (except State Owned Corporations) must:

• by 30 August 2017, relocate data centre and computer room infrastructure from current (on premise and leased) facilities into the Government Data Centres and, where appropriate, consume services through the GovDC Marketplace or other suitable cloud services; or

• at least six months prior to commencing migration and before 30 August 2017, sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Finance, Services and Innovation (DFSI), guaranteeing capacity and committing to migrate to the Government Data Centres and/or the GovDC Marketplace. Agencies with specialist infrastructure items that cannot be migrated by 30th August 2017, can request in the MoU an additional two year period to decommission these sites.

Data Centre migration should commence following one of the following triggers, being when:

• the lease on an existing building or data centre lease is ending

• there is a major equipment/infrastructure refresh due

• there is a major software refresh due

• the current data centre is too unreliable or inefficient for future needs

• there is an emerging defined need for cross agency connectivity

Agencies must obtain approval from the Secretary DFSI before making alternative data centre arrangements such as entering into a new contract (or extending an existing contract, or taking any extension option) to acquire data centre capacity, or designing or commissioning any capital works for a new or existing data centre.

Exemptions will be given priority where they are for business critical or on-premise assets that cannot be supported in the Government Data Centres.

The Secretary DFSI may issue directions to agencies to consolidate and manage data centre arrangements.

Agencies are required to provide to DFSI updated details on their plans to migrate into the Government Data Centres and/or GovDC Marketplace by the end of February each year until their migration is complete.

In addition, to facilitate a coordinated and timely approach, agencies may be requested to provide DFSI with the following information:

• copies of any existing contracts and leases with other data centres, facilities or similar

• ICT equipment refresh and investment timetable

• advice on required services that may be suitable for establishment in the GovDC Marketplace

• other relevant information to assist the coordination of migrating agencies into the Government Data Centres and GovDC Marketplace.

DFSI is available to assist agencies with migration planning.

This policy does not prevent agencies acquiring suitable cloud services from other cloud service providers, consistent with the NSW Government Cloud Policy, in consultation with DFSI.