Today, SSC provides the GC with the following networking equipment and connectivity services:
SSC is taking a new approach to providing connectivity services and equipment. The GC networks hub (GCNH) approach leverages software-defined network infrastructure and artificial intelligence (AI) to automate traffic flow and maintenance. This improves connectivity manageability and performance to enable the Government of Canada's Cloud Adoption Strategy.
So, while most network components are essentially the same, how they interconnect is changing.
In regions across Canada, network connectivity service providers link GC buildings and legacy data centres to the GC Backbone at a GCNH. Each GCNH also provides the external network connectivity between the GC Backbone and the cloud, Internet and Internet exchanges.
SSC has already installed GCNHs in Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver, and is upgrading and expanding 2 more in the National Capital Region (NCR) that provide Internet access only. There will likely be others in the Prairies and the Maritimes in the future. SSC is also looking at establishing virtual international hubs to support the Government of Canada's work around the globe.
There are several benefits to moving to this approach:
- It improves the speed and quality of connections because data won't have to travel as far. This means better user experience across the country, particularly in areas farther away from the NCR.
- It improves network efficiency by reducing the amount of data travelling through the core network in the NCR.
- It creates connectivity redundancy so that, if needed, we can reroute traffic through another GC networks hub to reduce downtime for users.
Connectivity as a Utility
In the digital age, connectivity is as essential as other utilities we depend on such as electricity and heat. SSC's priority is to build a reliable connectivity "utility" that is always on, available anywhere, and provides users with access to a government-wide network that:
- uses the latest security measures
- connects seamlessly to cloud and enterprise data centres
- moves at high speed
To help achieve this, SSC is expanding the use of software-defined networking. This will enable us to prioritize network traffic flow remotely (i.e., without manual changes to the network) over the most cost-effective path. Optimizing use of available bandwidth this way will give users higher network capacity and better availability.
SSC is also looking to offer standardized sets of connectivity solutions we can purchase and manage with less overhead than it takes to customize solutions to each department's needs. This will help us create a stable and reliable connectivity service that:
- improves value for money by taking advantage of economies of scale, bulk purchasing and standardization
- reduces time we spend resolving incidents by meeting the majority of needs with a minimum of solutions using common platforms that are easy to maintain
Managing the network as a utility and supplying it as a commodity simplifies how SSC provides enterprise solutions to meet federal organizations' needs. Through standard offerings and automated processes, SSC is simplifying how it takes in and manages requests.
Connectivity Security
All of the work SSC is undertaking to modernize the enterprise network improves the security of the network as a whole, as well as the data that flows through it.
Designing the network to be appropriately secured from the ground up minimizes the number and types of flaws that could compromise security. Converging, consolidating and standardizing to a common, shared, enterprise network improves reliability and stability, thereby reducing the time and effort we spend on troubleshooting problems. It also makes maintenance much simpler.
Moving to software-defined networks improves continuous network and application performance monitoring. Using a single window to manage network traffic, regardless of the number of vendors and products in the infrastructure, allows greater visibility of critical business traffic performance.
Conclusion
An updated network uses the latest security measures that
- better protect personal information
- connect seamlessly to cloud and enterprise data centres
- move at a speed and scale that gives users the connectivity they need to do their work
While there is no single "one-size-fits-all" approach for GC digital services, Shared Services Canada works with its federal partners and clients to modernize their connectivity experience through consolidating and standardizing the options available to them. This results in more secure, stable and reliable connections, economies of scale, faster turnarounds, enhanced collaboration and reduced risk.
All of this makes the Government of Canada more responsive to Canadians' demands for services they can connect to anytime, anywhere—ultimately, better serving Canadians.
