FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS(FAQS)

The Department receives ICT innovation ideas or solutions from all over Kenya. This Department then evaluates and qualifies them for viability and potential of innovations to scale.

ICT Authority is a State Corporation under the Ministry of ICT, Innovation & Youth Affairs.

The Department has two key functions namely Network Connectivity as well as Network Operation Centre & Cloud

Data center

1. Network Operation Centre (NOC)

The ICT Authority installed a Network Operation Centre to manage the growing infrastructure. The NOC functions are as below :

• A client raises a ticket, then all tickets are booked and managed until the clients are served and tickets closed. The contact of the NOC telephone number 0206676999 or helpdesk@icta.go.ke
• Configuration of added devices in the network is carried out
• Managing the health of the entire network

2. Data Center/ Cloud Infrastructure

Data Center and cloud are critical ICT infrastructure that ensures E-Government services continuity by protecting critical applications and data against loss that could arise from natural disasters, acts of terrorism, sabotage, and technical faults among others. The Government developed a tier-2 Government Data Center (GDC) infrastructure to ensure the security of Government data, applications and hosting of government critical data.

The Government is also implementing a disaster facility and Konza Data center (KDC) for data and systems as part of the business continuity plan. This will ensure that the Government services continue to be provided even in case of any disaster at the primary sites. These facilities will also offer an environment for cloud computing for all MCDAs.

1. Set and enforce ICT standards and guidelines for the infrastructure, for the public office and public service;
2. Facilitate and regulate the design, implementation and use of ICTs in the public service;
3. Establish, develop and maintain secure ICT infrastructure and systems;
4. Supervise the design, development and implementation of critical ICT projects across the public service.

Transforming Lives using ICT

To champion and harness ICT to enable efficient and effective access in delivery of public services for wealth creation and well-being of Kenya.

1. Integrity:We are trusted to efficiently use our resources to deliver our promise with utmost honesty, accountability, and in the most knowledgeable way.
2. Community: We work together and team up with strategic partners to deliver sustainable solutions for betterment of our customers.
3. Thought:Our work is rooted in accurate data, tested knowledge and collaborative thinking.
4. Action:We do the right thing, for the right reason, at the right time and in the right way.

The Authority is tasked with rationalizing and streamlining the management of all Government of Kenya ICT functions. Specifically, the Authority  exists to:

1. Set and enforce ICT standards and guidelines for the human resource, infrastructure, processes and system and technology for the public office and public service; and
2. Deploy and manage all ICT staff in the public service;
3. Facilitate and regulate the design, implementation and use of ICTs in the public service;
4. Promote ICT literacy and capacity;
5. Promote e-Government services;
6. Facilitate optimal electronic, electronic form, electronic record and equipment use in public service;
7. Promote ICT Innovation and enterprise;
8. Establish, develop and maintain secure ICT infrastructure and systems;
9. Supervise the design, development and implementation of critical ICT projects across the public service.
10. Implement and manage the Kenya National Spatial Data Initiative

The ICT Authority (ICTA) is a statutory State Corporation established under legal notice 183 of   August 2013 when the government merged three entities: Government Information Technology Services (GITS), Directorate of e-Government (DeG) and Kenya ICT Board (KICTB) into one body.

Every Kenyan can apply or bring their ICT innovations to the Authority. Through the Innovations Department we facilitate technical assistance, linkage to markets and market expertise.

The Department facilitates access to legal guidance, research institutions, investors and hubs directly or virtually through a network of partners and subject matter experts. The Department also collaborates with investors in identifying suitable hubs and accelerator programs for innovators based on their needs. The Department also introduces viable innovations to government for adoption.

The Department designs and develops citizen-centred e-Services, integrated information management and enterprise systems for efficient and effective service delivery.The Department also designs, develops and provides guidelines to Ministries, Counties, Departments and Agencies (MCDAs) for  business process re-engineering and implementation of e-Government initiatives.

The Department also designs and implements Government Information Communication Technology enterprise systems that cut across the public service in a cost-effective and sustainable manner.

The Department designs, develops and maintains critical data hubs, master data management systems and data warehouses for the public service.

In a nutshell, this Department provides a “one- stop- shop” platforms for access to Government services to citizens and businesses through management of government websites.

Project Management Department facilitates and regulate the design, implementation and use of ICTs in the public service. It manages ICT Programmes/ Projects on behalf of the Government of Kenya. These programmes include;

1. the Digital Literacy Programme (DLP)
2. National Optic Fiber Backbone Infrastructure
3. The East Africa Regional Transport Trade Development Facilitation Project.

In DLP we:

  (a) Supply and instal devices to both learners and teachers in public primary schools countrywide.

  (b) Collaborate with the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) to ensure educational content is available for use in teaching and learning using the digital devices.

  (c) Collaborate with government power distribution Agencies to connect all schools where digital devices have been installed to the national grade (electricity) or solar to enable charging of devices.

  (d) Facilitate the training of teachers on how to integrate ICT into teaching, in collaboration with the Teachers’ Service Commission.

   (e) Work with the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Education to ensure the safety of the digital devices installed in the schools.

  (F) Provide broadband Connectivity to public primary schools to enable the learners use the devices.

The Department sets and enforce ICT Standards guidelines for human resource, infrastructure, processes and system and technology for the Public Service.The overall objectives of the Standards is to ensure creation of a coherent, secure, efficient and flexible environment that fosters end-to-end integration of technologies.

ICT Capacity facilitates ICT Literacy for the citizens. The Department is also implementing the Presidential Digital Talent Programme (PDTP) whose objective is to  equip fresh graduates with hands-on ICT  skills for a period of 12 months. The Interns are assigned mentors in both public and private sector.

The functions of Information Security Department are;

1. Develop and implement strategic ICT intelligence security policies, standards, guidelines, plans and procedures for the Government
2. Develop and implement a national Government information security incident reporting & response system
3. Oversee and enforce ICT security guidelines for Government
4. Promote Information security awareness
5. Undertake continuous research and development on Information security and provide advise Government
6. Provision of security awareness education and ensure that everyone knows his or her role in maintaining security
7. Provision of mechanisms that support the security program outlined by the policy.
8. Assessment and evaluation of risk management on information security
9. Ascertain the effectiveness and security of information technology systems
10. Monitor inherent security threats on the overall network infrastructure to ensure uninterrupted network service
11. Ensure protection of networks, web sites, applications, databases, servers and data centers, and other technologies
12. Monitor and analyze organization's security position on need basis to detect, analyze and respond to cyber security