1. GOC Technical Architecture GoC Position on Open Source Presentation to eGovOS Open Source in Government Series March 15, 2004

2. 2 Outline Context and implications What is the relationship of OSS to the GoC Federated Architecture? What options were considered? Which option was chosen? Where are we planning to go?

3. 3 Setting the Context To support service delivery to Canadians and the internal operations of government, the Government of Canada has: –Adopted a business-driven approach to software acquisition; and –Defined an architected and standards-based approach to the development and deployment of its information technology infrastructure and systems.

4. 4 What does this mean to the GoC? Departments and agencies base their decisions to acquire, develop and use software (including Open Source Software) on: –Their business needs; and –The principles set out in the government’s Federated Architecture Program.

5. 5 Architectural Principles The following four principles would be directly applicable –Architecture Principle 1: Reduce Integration ComplexityArchitecture Principle 1: Reduce Integration Complexity –Architecture Principle 5: Security, Confidentiality, Privacy and Protection of InformationArchitecture Principle 5: Security, Confidentiality, Privacy and Protection of Information –Architecture Principle 6: Proven Standards and Technologies Architecture Principle 6: Proven Standards and Technologies –Architecture Principle 7: Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Architecture Principle 7: Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

6. 6 Software Acquisition Existing Canadian federal legislation, agreements and policies accommodate a wide variety of business models for public sector software: –Acquisition; –Use; –Production; and –Distribution. Accordingly, software solutions used in the Government of Canada, come under many license types, including certified “open source” or “free/libre” software licenses.

7. 7 What Options Were Considered? Take no official position regarding the evolution of OSS within the federal administration; Adopt a balanced approach to OSS; or Mandate preferences for the use of OSS across the federal administration.

8. 8 Proposed Next Steps Leadership and Governance Maintain the position on OSS on the Chief Information Office Branch web site; Lead a revitalized interdepartmental advisory committee on OSS; Ensure policies and guidelines do not bias one software business model over another; and Coordinate OSS activities with other levels of government in Canada.

9. 9 Proposed Next Steps Cont… Procurement Review and monitor federal procurement practices to ensure a level playing field; Provide advice and support; and Develop and promulgate guidelines and norms for the acquisition and sharing of OSS within the Government of Canada.

10. 10 Proposed Next Steps cont… Operations Develop, manage and operate a GoC Software Pooling and Distribution Service; Develop, promulgate and govern engineering advice, documentation and associated guidelines and norms for software; and Study the feasibility of developing standardized distributions of OSS for popular applications (e.g. office suite, web development tools) for download.

11. 11 Proposed Next Steps cont… Security Provide advice and guidance on OSS security issues to federal departments and agencies; and Provide advice and guidance concerning security evaluation and certification of OSS for use in the federal government.

12. 12 Proposed Next Steps cont… Promotion and Support of OSS Provide advice and guidance on federal industry support; Promote and maintain a repository of Canadian software and information services capabilities; With federal partners and industry stakeholders, seek support for OSS initiatives involving the Canadian software and information services sector; and Respond to enquiries on OSS trends in Canada.

13. 13 Proposed Next Steps cont… Legal Issues Provide legal advice on licensing and other legal issues.

14. 14 GoC OSS Examples CRC demonstrates Software Defined Radio Communications Research Centre CRC demonstrates Software Defined Radio –http://www.crc.ca/en/html/rmsc/home/sdr/press/scari_factsheet?pfon=yes The Atlas of Canada NRCan The Atlas of Canada –http://atlas.gc.ca/site/english/index.html FreeWRL browser Communications Research Centre FreeWRL browser –http://www.crc.ca/FreeWRL/ NRC Research Press NRC NRC Research Press –http://pubs.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/cgi-bin/rp/rp2_jour_e

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