Abu Dhabi Government 2021

ABU DHABI DIGITAL AUTHORITY has published this guide on 2021& all rights are reserved to publisher. Here under you will find some of the questions that I tried to answer assure the maximum usage of this valuable document.

What is the purpose of this government policy?

The purpose of this government policy is to encourage government entities to embrace Open Source Software solutions while adopting methods and best practices for using Open Source Software effectively and complying with licensing conditions.

What specific issues or problems does this policy aim to address?

This policy aims to address the issues of lack of trust in open source solutions, doubts about quality and security, and difficulty in finding qualified vendors and professional support.

Are there any plans for future revisions or updates to this policy?

I don’t know.

How does this policy affect the rights and responsibilities of citizens?

The document does not provide information on how this policy affects the rights and responsibilities of citizens.

Are there any penalties or consequences for non-compliance with this policy?

Yes, there may be penalties or consequences for non-compliance with this policy.

Are there any limitations or exceptions outlined in this policy?

Yes, there are limitations or exceptions outlined in this policy.

What are the key provisions or regulations outlined in this policy?

The key provisions or regulations outlined in this policy are: – Abu Dhabi Government Entities (ADGEs) are strongly recommended to consider using and releasing open source software (OSS) when using any Software Solution that includes an OSS component(s). – Project managers should request vendors and solution developers to consider open source software options in their solutions when an equivalent or better open source software alternative is available. – Procurement officers should demand and validate that vendors and solution developers have objectively considered open-source software in their solutions when an equivalent or better open source software alternative is available. – Compliance officers are required to work with other OSS stakeholders to develop and follow up on implementation and compliance with this policy. – The legal team should review legal license obligations related to adopting any OSS within the entity and work with OSS stakeholders to develop, review, and communicate compliance requirements for each. – Vendors should be mandated to offer both open source and commercial solutions options as part of their proposal offerings, and evaluation committees should fairly compare both options and make decisions accordingly.

What measures are in place to ensure the enforcement and implementation of this policy?

The Compliance team is required to work with other OSS stakeholders to develop and follow up on implementation and compliance with this policy.

How does this policy impact different sectors or industries within the government?

The document does not provide specific information on how this policy impacts different sectors or industries within the government.

How does this policy align with existing laws or regulations?

The policy encourages government entities to comply with existing laws and regulations by obtaining necessary legal advice prior to using and/or releasing Government-owned OSS.

Is there any restrictions for using opensource?

Yes, there may be restrictions for using open source software.

what are the restrictions for using open source software?

The restrictions for using open source software are that the source code must be obtainable at a reasonable reproduction cost, the source code must be the preferred form for modification, and obfuscated source code is not allowed. Additionally, the license must allow modifications and derived works to be distributed under the same terms as the original software license.

What are the best recommendations?

The best recommendations for open source software adoption in Abu Dhabi Government Entities are: – Only consider software that is distributed under a license endorsed by the Open Source Initiative (OSI) as open source licensed software. – Give unbiased consideration to open source software alongside proprietary software when making procurement recommendations. – Choose open source software based on the business value proposition, assessment of associated risks, and compliance with entity and government standards. – Ensure that the intended use of open source software is compatible with the software’s license terms. – Ensure that the sources used for downloading, procuring, and updating open source software are trustworthy.

My Conclusion

The conclusion is that the adoption of open-source software in the government sector can lead to positive contributions in the development of local human capital, economic growth, and social development.

Send all questions, clarifications or your comments to the content of this document via email to (ict.policies@adda.gov.ae )