Risk mitigation is the principal driver behind a sweeping consolidation of data centres operated by Queensland Government agencies.

The whole-of-Government consolidation program will:

• ensure that technology underpins continuity in government service provision regardless of geographical location and environmental conditions
• maximise the benefits derived from the Government’s investment in ICT infrastructure in terms of effectiveness and efficiency.

To this end, the Queensland Government Chief Technology Office (QGCTO) is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the whole-of-Government consolidated Data Centre Strategy, which covers the 10 years from 2007 to 2017. CITEC, Queensland Government’s primary ICT service provider, is responsible for implementing the strategy through the provision of ICT services to Queensland Government agencies.

Implementation involves the consolidation of many discrete agency data centres into several large, shared facilities each offering high levels of availability, security, scalability and disaster recovery capability.

For example, the new purpose-built Polaris Data Centre on Brisbane’s western fringe is classified Tier 3+. This means that the building can be maintained, upgraded and tested without interruption to client services. CITEC will manage the Queensland Government’s presence in the Polaris Data Centre.

It will operate in tandem with CITEC’s existing data centre in Brisbane’s central business district, thereby fulfilling the Government’s aim to have two primary Tier 3 data centres close to Brisbane.

Together, the two data centres easily support the split production architecture required for high availability systems.

Last updated 27 November 2008