Year 2000 Compliance Objective and Management Programme

Management Objectives

The objectives of ITSD in tackling the Year 2000 problem are as follows :

Internally, ITSD is to ensure that all its computer systems will meet the British Standard Institution DISC PD2000-1:1998 Y2K Compliance Standard adopted for use by HKSARG. There shall not be any disruption in the operations of ITSD prior to, during, and after the transition into the next century.

Externally, ITSD focuses on :

• assisting the Information Technology & Broadcasting Bureau to co-ordinate the Government's Year 2000 programme,


• promoting Year 2000 awareness within the Government,


• helping bureaux and departments to ensure compliance of their computer systems as well as data electronically received by them, and


• liaising with the Office of the Telecommunications Authority and the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department with regard to the compliance of line communication and embedded systems.

Management Framework

ITSD has set up a high level management group "Year 2000 Compliance Programme Management Group" chaired by the Director of Information Technology Services in March 1997 to ensure coordinated effort in both the department's own Year 2000 Compliance Programme and its Year 2000 services to the rest of the government.

To monitor the progress within ITSD, a Chief Systems Manager heads up a Steering Committee, with representatives from each functional branch, to ensure the Year 2000 compliance of or otherwise the availability of appropriate contingency plan for IT and non-IT assets that are used by ITSD.

Action Plan and Status of Compliance

Major actions include:

• Internally, ITSD has completed all necessary Y2K compliance rectification of its assets in June 1999.


• ITSD has asked suppliers to provide their Year 2000 compliance plans, including their target dates of releasing Year 2000 compliant versions or replacement products.


• ITSD has taken steps to promote awareness in the bureaux and departments on the Year 2000 problem. Letters and circulars are issued to the heads of the Government Bureaux and Departments. Seminars and workshops are held. Technical and management guidelines and tools are published.  The Year 2000 information Internet web site has also been set up to promote public awareness.


• Despite general awareness of Y2K issues by trade, Y2K posters and promotion leaflets are posted in ITSD offices as reminders. Y2K compliance plan, progress and reference information are posted on the departmental electronic filing system/intranet for easy access by all staff. ITSD Y2K Steering Committee members also act as the ambassadors for promoting Y2K awareness. Awareness presentations were given to the System Managers.


• Testing centres with mainframe, mid-range, and personal computer facilities have been set up for government systems. Y2K compliance testing can be carried out in these centres.


• ITSD is liaising closely with the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) and the Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) on the Y2K Compliance of those electrical and mechanical systems, and telecommunications equipment within their scope.

Risk Management and Contingency Planning

High level impact assessment on the systems used by ITSD has been performed. 

The ITSD Central Computer Centre is share used by many government departments. The Year 2000 compliance activities for the Central Computer Centre have been completed. Mainframe facilities are already Year 2000 compliant. In the light of the criticality and potential impact to those government departments, a detailed contingency plan for the Bureau service has been prepared and tested.

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