The administration system for the state information system (RIHA) is an improvement of the state register of databases. The objective of RIHA is to create a real integral information system that would give a clear view of the state’s IT resources. RIHA will be established as the sixth support system for the state information system (the five current support systems are the data exchange layer X-Road, the classifications system, the system of address details, the system of security measures, and the geodetic system).
The presently operating RIHA administrates and provides access to the information systems and databases of the state and local governments, and the metadata of data services offered by them. All state and local government agencies are obliged to register their information systems.
The current solution of RIHA is not very effective and therefore further developments are on the agenda. The objectives and functionality of RIHA should be much more extensive – in addition to the maintenance of records, it should also comprise metadata and information on all other processes taking place during the life cycle of an information system. This means gathering information throughout the life cycle from defining the need to create a system, deciding on its establishment, and organising procurement to developing, completing or reorganising the system.
The functionality of RIHA will be increased so that RIHA would be able to map the state information system as a whole and give an up-to-date overview of the state’s IT resources. Only this way there would be a clear picture of the already existing state information system components in various state institutions, the components still needed, and the available resources and options for their optimal use. It is important to provide all information system counterparties (spheres of competence) a respective view according to their role/responsibility and ensure an integral treatment of the key objects.
RIHA will be a tool for the system components themselves, i.e. a decision-making tool for information system administrators as well as for the state’s IT co-ordinators. Based on the data in RIHA, the information system administrator can, for instance, plan developments for his/her system, and the state’s IT co-ordinators can use the statistics to analyse and draft the state information policy action plan and development strategies and make other kinds of decisions. Moreover, the whole dataflow could be monitored at government-to-government level as well as at government-to-citizen and government-to-business level. RIHA enables to define weaker links of the system and provide necessary solutions. The integrity of the state information system can be achieved only if its processes are transparent and can be monitored.
In order to create RIHA as an integral system, it should first be defined as clearly and explicitly as possible. Initially, the system has been defined in the concept of RIHA available at http://www.riik.ee/arr/kontseptsioon.htm (in Estonian only). The concept serves as an input for the further development plan for RIHA.
Although RIHA is currently under elaboration, the web-based registration service is already functioning – the application form based on the ID card is available at https://www.eesti.ee/arr (in Estonian only). The user is authenticated with the ID card after which he or she submits a request to register an information system. The request is confirmed and access for registering is provided by the RIHA administrator. After obtaining access, the information system administrator fills in the necessary data fields.
In addition to the metadata of the information system, the administrator submits necessary data on the services provided by that information system (in case of X-Road, the administrator needs not register the services separately) as well as on the classifications and standards used. Should the administrator need data from another information system, he or she can submit a respective proposal via RIHA to the administrator of that information system to create a new service. The same option is also planned for the citizen (based on authentication with the ID card).
It is possible to search for all objects in RIHA; information systems and agencies that have joined X-Road have been structured by administrative fields (ministries). The basic data in RIHA are public and accessible for everyone.
