ITSD encouraged by successful rollover to new millennium
03 - 01 - 2000

Efforts of the Information Technology Services Department (ITSD) bore fruit as no Year 2000 (Y2K)-related incidents involving government mission-critical computer systems had been reported so far, a spokesman for ITSD said today (Monday).

The rollover of ITSD as well as government bureaux and departments to the new millennium has been smooth and successful without any disruptions to their mission-critical computer systems caused by the Y2K problem.

"About 900 ITSD staff members have been deployed to work on site or on stand-by during the rollover period," the spokesman said.

They are deployed to man the ITSD Central Computer Centre and other specially tasked offices, as well as to give advice and support to government bureaux and departments.

To monitor the rollover to the new millennium, the department has activated the ITSD Y2K Coordination Office (IYCO) since 8 pm last Friday (December 31, 1999).

"Its function is to coordinate the information exchange between ITSD, the government Central Coordinating Centre (CCC), government bureaux and departments as well as major information technology (IT) suppliers, and to follow-up on any Y2K-induced incidents," he said.

Simultaneously, the Emergency Response Centre (ERC) is activated by ITSD to provide emergency response to computer system malfunction in government bureaux and departments.

The spokesman said, "ITSD also sets up the Industry Liaison and Monitoring Centre to maintain close contacts and liaison with major IT suppliers to receive information from around the world on Y2K-related incidents so as to render prompt information and advice to CCC."

Since the operation of IYCO and ERC, no reports of Y2K-induced failures or incidents involving the ITSD and government mission-critical computer systems have been received.

Wellness checks on the systems have also revealed that the systems function properly.

ITSD has recognised as early as 1997 the importance of ensuring that all government mission-critical systems are Y2K compliant, and soon commenced work to tackle the problem.

The department set up the Y2K Compliance Programme Management Group in March 1997 to coordinate efforts in both its own Y2K Compliance Programme and its Y2K services to the rest of the Government.

A steering committee was also formed to monitor the progress of ensuring the Y2K compliance of the IT and non-IT assets of ITSD, and the availability of appropriate contingency plans.

All necessary Y2K compliance rectification of the ITSD mission-critical systems was completed in June 1999.

"ITSD also spares no efforts in promoting the awareness on the Y2K problem in the Government by issuing letters and circulars to the heads of government bureaux and departments, holding seminars and workshops, as well as publishing technical and management guidelines and tools," the spokesman said.

"To arouse the public's concern over the Y2K problem, a government web site "www.year2000.gov.hk" was established in June 1998 to provide useful and updated information on the issue and the progress of the Government in rectifying the problem.

"Staff members are glad that they have been actively involved and have participated in bringing the transition of the Government to the new millennium a success," he continued.

"Notwithstanding the smooth and successful rollover, we will not be complacent and let down the guard.

"Instead, we will continue to be on full alert to make sure that there will not be any problem on the next Y2K critical day on February 29," he added.

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