Developer | Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
Project operator | Ministry of Digital Governance |
Budget | 6,770,161.29 excluding VAT |
What is the object of this Project?
Object of this Project is:
- Upgrading Telecommunications Infrastructure of the Ministry through study, installation and configuration of ICT infrastructure, structured cabling, active network equipment.
To meet the modern organisation needs for communication and movement of information, it is mandatory that common telecommunication infrastructure exists for all the buildings where services of the Ministry are housed (Internet access, intranet, etc.), so that there is easy management and greater security. All buildings are interconnected by optical fibers and form a single network workspace.
The current communication and network infrastructure of the Central Service is outdated and cannot satisfactorily meet the modern communication needs. The structured cabling and the active equipment (routers, firewalls, switches etc.) that meets the networking needs of the eight (8) buildings is outdated, as they were also replaced during the same period.
Every day, serious breakdown in the network occurs, whereas there are problems of equipment compatibility, availability and reliability of service.
The project concerns the modernisation of the telecommunications infrastructure of the Central Service and will mainly cover the following:
✓ Implementation of structured cabling of all buildings (fibre optic and copper);
✓ Dismantling old network hubs (buildings and floors) and their replacement with new ones;
✓ Rearrangement of areas where the network hubs will be installed to meet safety requirements;
✓ Installation of security and monitoring systems of all the hubs of the buildings (cameras, sensors, etc.);
✓ Procurement of active network equipment (routers, firewalls, switches, IDS etc.) and network monitoring and management systems.
- Implementing a Closed Teleconferencing System through study, installation and configuration of closed teleconferencing system. Monitoring, training and support (help desk).
What is the aim of the project?
The aim of the project is the modernisation of the telecommunications infrastructure of the Central Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in order to have the basis for the implementation of its digital transformation. Through the modernisation of the structured cabling and the active network equipment, the consolidation of communication will be achieved in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, namely the management, in a consistent manner, of all voice, data, video services and mobile applications.
At the same time, the increase in the productivity of the employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be achieved through remote work and remote office services. Due to the specificity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the increased mobility of its officials, infrastructure must be implemented that will support hybrid workplace.
Finally, an additional objective is the implementation of a classified teleconferencing system. The system will be installed in the Central Service and it will be provide the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with a secure communication channel with image and audio, as well as the ability of secure data sharing with anyone participating in a teleconference, in a single system, which will utilise the safe structures of the NET-VIS International Network, for the connection with the External Service Authorities and other Public Services related to our national security (Hellenic National Defence General Staff (HNDGS), Hellenic Police, Presidency of the Hellenic Republic, Ministry of Migration and Asylum etc.). The specific telecommunications infrastructure connects with security and guaranteed performance level all the External Service Authorities with the Central Service. With the transmission over the secure lines of the International Network of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a very high level security and confidentiality is ensured, which is required for the official communication. The service offered will ensure technologically advanced telecommunication of high quality and reliability, which will allow real-time two-way and interactive communication of geographically distant interlocutors, via image, sound and data. By way of illustration, the Embassy in Washington must communicate daily with the 8 Consulate in the USA and the PR to the UN in New York. Currently, communication is carried out via open channels and the confidentiality of the discussions is not ensured. The teleconferencing system will be utilised at contact points that we will have the possibility of access, participation and coordination of teleconferences in a sufficient number both at the addresses of the Central Service and at all the External Service Authorities. The equipment and software to be used, will meet the needs of high availability, user-friendliness, data security, data integrity, extensibility and interoperability with other systems. The design of the system will be carried out with special care for the Security – Confidentiality of Information Systems, Applications, Media and Infrastructure, for the protection of the integrity and the availability of information and the protection of the personal data to be processed and stored personal data.