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Government Cloud Applications

Cloud First Policy

KSA Cloud First Policy of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology was launched in 2020. In general, the government has been fostering the use of cloud computing formally. This policy for cloud computing leverages several elements, including scale, virtualization, resilience, cost, efficiency, service orientation, agility, etc. The policy details what is related to it and the government agencies it covers, in addition to accelerating its adoption and considering cloud computing options when making new investment decisions related to information technology. The policy also encouraged the private sector to follow similar policies by internally applying the "cloud-first policy" in their facilities.

Government Cloud 'DEEM'

The Government cloud platform "Deem Cloud" is one of the innovative technical solutions at the National Information Center of the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence (SDAIA), which contributes to providing cloud computing services based on the latest technologies in support of uniting efforts and enabling government entities to achieve digital transformation. Deem Cloud integrates and unifies government entities' data centers into one secure platform. As of July 1, 2023, 237 government data centers have been integrated, 183 government entities and 94,000+ electronic mailboxes hosed into the "DEEM Cloud", which enabled reducing 64+ megawatts of power consumption, reducing 608K+ tons of carbon emissions and saving 5.6 billion SAR (approximately 1.5 billion USD).

Government Cloud Office

The Office was established in 2021 and plays a crucial role in managing the relationship between the government organization and the Cloud Service Providers. It ensures that the adoption and utilization of cloud services align with the government's goals, security requirements, compliance obligations, and service expectations. Currently, there are more than 30 Registered Cloud Service Providers in KSA.
The Government Cloud Office works on three main pillars:

Setting strategic directions and creating momentum: Determining the strategic trends associated with the governance of the cloud system and developing the controls and guidelines to achieve targets.

Activating & enabling the ecosystem: Providing services that reinforce awareness, build capabilities, and work with governmental agencies and suppliers.

Monitor results & measure the impact: Monitoring program performance, tracking realized impact, ensuring compliance level, and conducting periodic reviews for business progress.

As part of its mandate, the Government Cloud Office initiated the Cloud Adoption Acceleration Program to accelerate the adoption of cloud computing services within government agencies by facilitating awareness, enabling capabilities, and offering strategic support to seamlessly transition agencies from traditional computing environments to dynamic, scalable, and collaborative cloud environments.
The program is dedicated to expediting the adoption of cloud computing within governmental agencies, engaging a range of stakeholders to collaborate, coordinating efforts, and continuously developing national cloud capabilities. The specific objectives include:

Raising the efficiency of governmental expenditure over digital services.

Raising the quality of governmental services and satisfaction levels of beneficiaries.

Enhancing the local content in the governmental agencies by adopting cloud computing.

Enhancing investments and raising participation levels of cloud computing related sector.

Elevating the digital experience

The impact on Government agencies includes raising awareness of cloud services, increasing the maturity and readiness of the governmental agencies for adopting cloud services and providing pioneered cloud solutions. Private cloud users benefit from the acceleration of the integrated digital experience and increased satisfaction with government services.

National Enterprise Architecture

National Enterprise Architecture is the national reference for implementing enterprise architecture in the government sector through unified national practices, standards, methodologies, and controls to support the digital transformation in government entities in order to reach an integrated smart government with a unified national vision, putting the citizens first. It includes practices and controls for implementing the government entity's vision and strategy by making the necessary changes to align the business (processes and services) with the information technology (applications, data, and technology). National EA provides models, standards, and guidelines to enhance the implementation and practising of the enterprise architecture and accelerate digital transformation to achieve the vision's objectives.

The Government paid great attention to the national enterprise architecture practices, as it issued the National Overall Reference Architecture (NORA) and the Framework for Measuring the Maturity of Enterprise Architecture Practices (SEAM) in 2015. It continued to continuously improve this framework according to a clear mechanism that studies the extent of adopting national enterprise architecture practices and finding opportunities for improvement, ending in 2022, when Issuance of the Digital Government Regulatory Framework.
Based on the Digital Government Authority mandates of regulating digital government, the Authority developed and maintains a comprehensive and integrated framework to adopt the practice of national enterprise architecture through studying and understanding the challenges facing government agencies today. The knowledge base built in the Kingdom for this field through several initiatives that the Authority continued to reach the highest levels of maturity in adopting the practice of the national institutional architecture among government agencies and other parties that seek to do so.

Government Interoperability Framework

National Interoperability Standard

The National Interoperability Standard was first published in 2006 as part of the key initiatives of the First Saudi Digital Strategy. The current version was revised in 2019 and is part of the Yesser Framework for Interoperability, which focuses on the data interoperability domain. It aims to achieve cross-governmental integration and service sharing, and defining common data definitions and data structures is indispensable. This standard provides the necessary guidance to guarantee the interoperability, integration, portability and reusability of systems across government agencies through utilizing Government Service Bus (GSB).

eHealth Interoperability Standards

The Ministry of Health of the Saudi Government focuses on interoperability for the sensitivity of sharing data among different sites and entities. A set of interoperability-related documents were developed outlining the basic guidelines and regulations to secure interoperable data sharing. This Core Interoperability Specification applies to existing and new information systems that will exchange Health Information. In particular, this Interoperability Specification applies to deploying eHealth Information Exchange Platforms. Examples can be found at the National Health Information Center (NHIC) such as:

Enabling Standards-Based eHealth Interoperability IS0010 Saudi eHealth Core Interoperability Specification for Immunization Version 1.0 April 21, 2016

Enabling Standards-Based eHealth Interoperability IS0003 Saudi eHealth Core Interoperability Specification for Sharing Coded Laboratory Results April 21, 2016

Government Service Bus (GSB)

The Government Service Bus (GSB) is a consolidated platform to facilitate the seamless electronic exchange of shared government services among entities, ensuring accuracy, speed, and security via the Government Secure Network (GSN). It is essential in securing well-integrated national infrastructure projects, which were established and managed by the Yesser Program in 2009 and transferred to the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence (SDAIA) in 2022.
The GSB enables the electronic transmission of various government services, including but not limited to commercial registry, real estate instruments, Qiyas results, health files, enterprise licenses, and payment orders. It aims to activate secure data exchange between the government agencies authorized to use the data to provide services effectively and accurately. The Kingdom offers over 6,000 e-government services and records 4 billion digital transactions annually. This progress is creating a significant demand for data centers as the critical infrastructure of the digital economy. Digital transformation has blended efforts across the government for a national backbone and infrastructure that provides this growth in digital transformation.

Indicators and numbers:

Connecting 220 beneficiaries

More than 240 services have been deployed

More than 595 operations have been developed

Granting approximately 13120 authorizations to beneficiaries

More than 4 billion operations annually

Modernizing Legacy Government Systems

Replacing legacy government information systems is vital in driving digital transformation, enhancing interoperability, and delivering secure, efficient, and user-focused public services. To achieve this, government entities must adopt a structured approach that combines integration, risk management, and adherence to interoperability standards, ensuring seamless transitions and alignment with national digital strategies.

The Controls for Whole of Government Platforms provides a robust foundation for transitioning from outdated, siloed systems to unified, interoperable platforms. It emphasizes leveraging shared services like the Government Cloud and Government Service Bus (GSB) to avoid duplication, promote data sharing, and deliver beneficiary-centric services. This framework ensures scalability and governance, making it a critical resource for integrating modern solutions into the government ecosystem.

To complement these efforts, the Controls of Risk Management and Business Continuity for Digital Government outlines risk assessment, business impact analysis, and disaster recovery planning to manage transitions securely. Additionally, the National Interoperability Standard ensures system compatibility by promoting standardized data formats, API-based integration, and cross-agency collaboration. Together, these guidelines provide a cohesive roadmap for modernizing legacy systems, safeguarding service continuity, and advancing the goals of digital transformation.

Financial Management Information System (FMIS)

National Center for Government Resource Systems (NCGR) is an independent governmental center established to increase the efficiency of the financial sector to overcome challenges. It enhances the quality of the government financial e-services for the beneficiaries. Furthermore, the center improves innovation by utilizing modern technologies, supporting small and medium enterprises and local content, increasing competitiveness and providing opportunities, improving the beneficiaries' experience and measuring performance indicators. Additionally, standardizing Procedures and integration between beneficiaries. As part of these efforts, the NCGR launched two essential systems:

Electronic Financial Services Platform (Etimad), an electronic platform that provides a wide range of services for Government Entities, the Private Sector and Individuals to sustain mutual partnerships and accomplish national economic objectives by promoting digital transformation, uplifting transparency and effectiveness, and ensuring more procedural smoothness. Currently, the Etimad platform integrates various services related to Budgeting, Government Tenders and Procurement, Contracts, Payments, Employee Financial services, Revenue collection and Data and Business intelligence.

Unified Government Resources Planning System, "UGRP", is an electronic platform developed to be a central system within government entities in order to manage their Accounting, Human Resources, Procurement and Supply-chain procedures. UGRP enables Government entities to overcome obstacles and challenges in their business, such as; differences within internal procedures and between departments high cost of utilizing multiple systems and technologies, which causes difficulty in obtaining accurate and consistent information. UGRP provides unified and seamless procedures for Government entities' Shared Services to achieve transparency and provide accurate and up-to-date reports that support decision-making. It integrates shared services related to Finance (general ledger, payables, receivables, fixed assets, and cash management), Human resources (main HR service, payroll, compensation and benefits, recruitment, learning and development, and performance measurement), and Procurement and Supply-chain (tenders management, procurement, contract management, vendor portal and inventory management).

Treasury Single Account (TSA)

The Treasury Single Account (TSA), established in 2018, is a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s public financial management reforms, designed to enhance transparency, financial efficiency, and fiscal discipline. It centralizes government revenue and expenditure, consolidating cash management processes to ensure optimal utilization of financial resources. The TSA eliminates the need for fragmented bank accounts, reduces idle balances, and improves daily cash visibility and liquidity management. By centralizing collections and disbursements, it accelerates payment processing and optimizes the government’s financial operations.

Key features of the TSA include its integration with advanced systems like the Treasury Management System (TMS), Quantum, and Trax, facilitating automated processes and seamless coordination with the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) and the Financial Management Information System (FMIS). It also supports government revenue concentration, expenditure disbursement, and cash surplus investments. By 2023, 188 government entities were fully integrated, and the number of commercial bank accounts was reduced to 4,251, reflecting significant progress in cash consolidation and automation.

The TSA operates under the regulatory framework provided by the Implementing Regulations for the State Revenue Law, which mandates centralized revenue collection and strict controls on government bank accounts. Systems like the Sadad System ensure all revenues are processed through approved mechanisms, reinforcing financial oversight and eliminating unauthorized transactions. This regulatory alignment ensures fiscal accountability and efficient treasury governance, with continual enhancements planned to adapt to evolving financial needs.

eProcurement Information System

The Electronic Financial Services Platform (Etimad) consolidates and facilitates the bidding and government procurement process for all government sectors, enhancing transparency amongst government sectors on the one hand and among competing entities on the other. The portal allows the largest segment of competitors to access bids, enhancing competitiveness and improving government projects' quality. The portal is an entirely digital gateway for posting government tenders, receiving invitations, obtaining fascicles, surveying bids and awarding contracts, with first preference given to small and medium-sized businesses exempt from preliminary insurance.

Debt Management System (DMS)

National Debt Management Center (NDMC) was established in 2015 to secure the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's financing needs with the best financing costs in the short, medium, and long term under an acceptable degree of risk in compliance with the financial policies and to maintain Kingdom's ability to access different international financial markets at fair pricing. To monitor and manage the public debt, NDMC developed and maintained a Central System For Debt Management, enabling the center to have a real-time overview of the public debt. Under its mandate, the NDMC is enabled to provide advisory services and propose implementation plans for government agencies and companies in which the government owns more than (50%) of their capital and public institutions in the area of NDMC's competence, including the collecting, processing and follow-up of direct and indirect public debt data, and negotiation of debts, and negotiation of debts restructuring, repricing or re-contracting, services related to hedging policies, investors relationships management in public debt instruments credit rating affairs, or other related services.

Public Investment Management System (PIMS)

Public Investment Fund (PIF): A Comprehensive Public Investment Management

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) serves as a cornerstone of the country’s economic transformation. Acting as the Kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund, PIF manages a dynamic and diversified portfolio of investments spanning local and international sectors. It focuses on key areas such as infrastructure, technology, renewable energy, healthcare, and entertainment to foster economic growth and unlock opportunities for private sector collaboration.

Public Investment Management System (PIMS) Framework within PIF

The PIF incorporates a Public Investment Management System (PIMS) to ensure rigorous oversight and strategic alignment across its investments.This system includes:

Sector-Specific Strategies: Investment policies tailored to individual sectors, clarifying objectives, permissible assets, and key performance indicators.

Risk and Performance Management: A structured approach to monitoring portfolio performance and managing risks, ensuring sustainable returns and alignment with national priorities.

Transparency and Governance: Robust governance models for decision-making, fostering accountability, and adopting global best practices in investment management.

Investment Highlights

The PIF portfolio includes flagship initiatives such as:

Giga-Projects: Iconic developments like NEOM, Qiddiya, and the Red Sea Project that aim to redefine tourism, entertainment, and urban living.

Renewable Energy and Sustainability: Investments in renewable energy and green hydrogen to position Saudi Arabia as a global leader in sustainable energy.

Global Investments: Strategic stakes in international companies, reflecting the PIF’s role as a catalyst for Saudi Arabia’s integration into the global economy.

This framework positions PIF as a model of effective public investment management, ensuring that public funds are utilized efficiently to achieve economic transformation while maintaining a high standard of accountability.

For more information on PIF’s investments and strategic initiatives, visit their official website.

Transparency and Financial Accountability

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) ensures full transparency by publishing detailed financial aspects of its projects in its Annual Reports, showcasing progress, expenditures, and alignment with Vision 2030. Additionally, PIF’s Consolidated Financial Statements, independently audited by external firms, are publicly available. These measures reinforce accountability, build trust, and highlight PIF’s commitment to global best practices in financial management.

Invest Saudi Portal

The Invest Saudi portal plays a complementary role in the PIF management of investments by promoting Saudi Arabia as a prime destination for domestic and international investment. This aligns with the PIMS approach by providing a unified platform that facilitates investor engagement with opportunities across various economic sectors in the Kingdom.

Through its tools and resources, the portal supports the efficient allocation of investments, providing data-driven insights, periodic economic reports, and detailed information on promising opportunities. This ensures that investments are strategically aligned with the broader goals of Vision 2030, such as economic diversification and sustainable development. The portal also offers services to ease regulatory processes, helping investors navigate through the complexities of setting up and managing investments in Saudi Arabia.

Key features of the portal include:

Unified Messaging: Coordination among government entities to present Saudi Arabia as a future-ready investment hub.

Sector-Specific Opportunities: Investment classified by sectors and regions, aligned with strategic goals such as infrastructure, technology, and renewable energy.

Supportive Services: Guidance for investors, including rapid approval mechanisms, incentives, and logistical support for both domestic and foreign stakeholders.

To enhance transparency and track progress in attracting global investments, Invest Saudi publishes quarterly reports on foreign direct investments (FDIs) in the Kingdom. These reports provide key insights into the volume and distribution of FDI across sectors, highlighting trends, major projects, and their alignment with Vision 2030 objectives. By making these reports publicly accessible, Invest Saudi ensures that investors and stakeholders can monitor the Kingdom’s investment landscape and its contributions to economic diversification and growth.

Tax and Customs Management Information System

The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) is responsible for collecting zakat, taxes, and customs duties while achieving the highest level of taxpayer compliance possible per best practices. The Authority is also responsible for organizing and managing all activities connected to ports and customs operations to achieve the highest level of compliance, productivity, and competitiveness. This aims to assist the Kingdom in developing into a significant global logistics hub by promoting trade and maintaining national security. To achieve these goals, they have launched several key platforms:

”ERAD” Tax System, a unified zakat and tax platform lunched in 2016, hosts more than 150 online services enabling users to complete their zakat and tax duties. It is one of the most important ZATCA's projects in digital transformation, enabling data exchange with other government systems.

“Manafith” Customs System, a unified customs platform launched in 2002, centrlises all custom services into one places regulating the import, export, and goods in circulation. The system aims to facilitate, regulate, and control the movement of goods through customs ports effectively and safely.

“Fatoorah” e-Invoicing System, enables commercial entities to issue, submit and process of invoices, debit and credit notes with other commercial entities in an integrated electronic format. The platform is expected to be soon integrated into the Centralised Zakat, Tax and Customs system.

Zakaty platform is an electronic platform aimed at creating a balanced and integrated Zakat environment, i.e. to enable citizens and businesses to pay their zakat smoothly and easily through electronic payment channels to deliver it directly to eligible users.

Human Resources Management System (HRMS)

"Masar" is a central national Human Resources management and development platform. Masar enables service provision to ministries, government agencies, employees and individuals according to Human Resources regulations. Established by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD), the platform provides a package of supportive e-services to government agencies to develop their human resources to refine and develop the capabilities of government employees.

Payroll system

The payroll system is linked to the HRMS through the Electronic Financial Services Platform (Etimad), which enables regular payments to public sector employees.

Social Insurance Information System

The Social Insurance Information System was established by the General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI) as a governmental entity responsible for providing social protection and insurance coverage in Saudi Arabia. It covers Saudi civil and military employees, private sector workers and workers employed on an item of wages in the public sector. It provides services for individuals, enabling them to use their rights of social insurance guaranteed by law and services for businesses, allowing them to manage and pay social contributions for their employees.

Pension and Social Insurance Laws manage pension affairs for civil and military employees and care for employees working in the private sector and base salary workers in the government sector to provide them and their families with a decent life after they leave work due to retirement, disability, or death. Moreover, these laws provide medical care and compensation in cases of work injuries or occupational disability through the Occupational Hazards Branch, which is applied obligatorily to Saudi and non-Saudi workers in the Saudi labor market. Also, GOSI is diligent in helping Saudi workers who leave work due to circumstances beyond their control by paying unemployment compensation (SANED), providing training programs, and supporting the unemployed to find a new job.

By 2003, all of GOSI’s services had become automated, including the payment system for all of GOSI’s contributors and beneficiaries and connected with all government agencies through the Government Services Bus (GSB). GOSI has a solid technical structure built according to the latest standards and practices in information technology. It is a mixture of ready-made systems and systems built within GOSI to achieve GOSI’s aims and plans.

In this sense, GOSI was diligent in making digital transformation and digital leadership a strategic aim to enhance customer satisfaction along with launching digital platforms and the GOSI website to provide all services to its customers, including contributors, pensioners, and employers, to transform all the services into integrated electronic services available around the clock. Through integration with “Nafath” services, the customer’s journey with GOSI’s services has begun, making it easier to access social insurance services reliably and safely.

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