Image: J Bar, used under CC BY-SA 3.0 license
The NSW Government has released an IoT policy applying to all NSW Government agencies, saying it has been designed to: demystify IoT for NSW Government project managers; encourage innovation with IoT solutions; build understanding and capability across government; and provide practical guidance for those responsible for delivering IoT-enabled solutions.
The IoT policy consists of an IoT policy statement and IoT policy guidance. The IoT Policy Statement outlines the NSW Government’s position on IoT and principles to be applied by NSW Government employees when making decisions about the implementation of IoT projects and systems.
The IoT policy guidance provides: practical guidance to help organisations design, plan and implement IoT solutions; advice on standards and obligations where available and practical; tools and templates to help effectively manage an IoT-enabled project; guidance on where and how to source additional advice if required.
The guidance comprises eight modules that align to an IoT user journey. They cover: IoT in NSW; project scoping; project planning; making the case for IT; procuring IoT; setting up IoT; using and maintaining IoT; and assessing IoT.
Launch at IoT Impact
The policy was launched at IoT Alliance Australia’s IoT Impact conference in Sydney on 15 October by Dawn Routledge, executive director, Office of the Secretary in the NSW Department of Customer Service (standing in for minister for customer service Victor Dominello).
Routledge said the NSW Government was “absolutely IoT ready”. She said the policy would bring together and reinforce developments across different disciplines in multiple government departments.
“This is a first for the NSW Government and probably for any Australian government. … The policies have to work for everyone in government on how best to use internet things to drive better services.
“And IoT is not a silver bullet. What will make or break a project with IoT is how it is used. That’s why through the policy we are providing guidance to help government agencies consider whether it is the right tool for project,” she said.
“The policy sets out standards that need to be met, ensuring that we have the right safeguards in place to use IoT appropriately. … In a world where the use of connected sensing of devices is ubiquitous, privacy and incentive systems must be respected.”
Routledge said the deployment and use of IoT must be transparent so citizens can see where devices are deployed and how they are being used. “Finally, we must ensure that IoT is used for ethical purposes.”
Feedback wanted
She said the policy would evolve over time to respond to the changing needs of government, along with other technologies like AI and other emerging areas, and she called on the IoT community to read the policy and provide feedback.
“We see this very much as the first step. It is a very evolving field and we will be continuing to iterate Please work with us as NSW Government to help us use it.
