Secure and Compliant Digitization in the Public Sector: How to Choose the Right Accelerator

In the growing landscape of digitization, Public Administrations (PAs) are increasingly called upon to adopt technological solutions that improve the efficiency and accessibility of services provided to citizens and businesses.

As a result, PaaS (Platform as a Service) solutions have emerged, allowing PAs to deliver services in an agile and scalable way. PaaS platforms offer ready-to-use environments for developing, managing, and hosting applications, reducing the need for physical infrastructure and allowing administrations to focus on service innovation.

However, the adoption of these solutions must be careful, as it is crucial that they comply with the guidelines established by the National Cybersecurity Agency to ensure the protection of sensitive data and business continuity.

PaaS Requirements for Public Administrations

Public Administrations (PAs) are by nature responsible for managing sensitive and strategic data, ranging from citizens’ personal information to data related to national security and public resource management. This means they must adopt digital solutions that are not only efficient but also secure and compliant with data protection regulations.

PAs must meet a range of security requirements established by the National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN) to protect sensitive data and guarantee the continuous operation of digital services. Among the main security requirements set by ACN for platforms used by PAs, the following are key aspects:

• Data Security and Privacy: Digital platforms must implement advanced data protection measures, such as encryption of data both at rest and in transit, ensuring that sensitive information cannot be intercepted or compromised. It is equally essential that privacy protection policies are adopted, in full compliance with the GDPR, ensuring that citizens’ personal data is processed securely and with respect for user rights.

• Access Management: Platforms must ensure strict access control, using advanced authentication systems such as multi-factor authentication (MFA). This is critical to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data, effectively protecting the integrity and confidentiality of the information being handled.

• Resilience and Business Continuity: PAs must ensure that digital solutions are always available, even in the event of cyberattacks, natural disasters, or other unforeseen events. Platforms must therefore be designed for high availability and resilience. They must be able to withstand malfunctions or attacks and ensure the continuity of services so that citizens and businesses do not experience interruptions to essential services.

• Efficient Service Management: PAs must manage their IT solutions efficiently to ensure that digital services are always high-performing, reliable, and secure. Platforms must therefore be managed according to international quality standards, such as ISO 20000, which require standardized IT service management, ensuring that resources are optimally allocated and processes are constantly monitored and improved.

These security requirements are verified through certifications that demonstrate that the platforms used by Public Administrations meet the standards set by the National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN). One of the main certifications that PaaS platforms can obtain is the Level 2 Qualification Certification (QC2), which guarantees that cloud platforms — especially those handling critical and sensitive data — meet the highest security standards.

This certification covers various aspects of IT security, from data protection and identity management to the operational resilience of technology infrastructures. It is a requirement for PAs that must comply with national and international regulations on data protection and cybersecurity, such as the Italian Digital Administration Code (CAD), the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), and Italian and European directives.

The Role of Low-Code in Accelerating PA Digitalization

Among PaaS platforms, low-code technologies are emerging as a key accelerator for the digitization of Public Administrations. Low-code platforms enable the development of applications with minimal coding by using visual interfaces and pre-built components. This approach significantly reduces development time, increasing the ability to tailor solutions to specific needs that cannot be covered by pre-configured solutions.

However, the speed and flexibility offered by low-code must not come at the expense of security and compliance with regulations. Low-code platforms used by PAs must meet the same high security and data protection standards required of all other PaaS solutions. In this context, platforms that possess ACN’s QC2 certification can offer both rapid development acceleration and compliance with security regulations.

Mendix: A QC2-Certified PaaS

At WEGG, we support companies and Public Administrations on their path to digital innovation, by structuring processes and services on low-code platforms. Our goal is to create customized solutions to address the specific needs identified through a Portfolio Workshop, which maps the use cases where digital tools can add value.

In this context, we’re proud of our partnership with Siemens Mendix, a platform recognized as a Leader in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for low-code technologies for enterprise companies — a platform that also meets the requirements set by the National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN).

Here are the main benefits of this certification for PAs that choose Mendix as their platform for digitizing processes and services:  

• Greater Security: Mendix adopts best security practices, including advanced encryption, ensuring that sensitive data handled by PAs is always protected.

• Business Continuity: With compliance to ISO 22301, Mendix ensures that its cloud services continue to operate even in emergency situations, without compromising application availability.

• Efficient Service Management: With ISO 20000 compliance, Mendix guarantees that services are managed efficiently, improving the reliability and quality of the solutions developed.

• Interoperability and Portability: The platform enables easy integration with other systems and data migration without lock-in, meeting the interoperability requirements demanded by PAs.

• Regulatory Compliance: Mendix is fully compliant with Italian and European IT security regulations, including the GDPR, ensuring that all developed applications align with data protection laws.

When implemented on ACN-certified platforms like Mendix, low-code becomes a powerful tool to accelerate the digital transformation of Public Administrations in a secure and compliant manner. This combination allows public entities to quickly develop digital solutions that address the specific needs of citizens and businesses without compromising data security or breaching cybersecurity regulations.

Do you work in a PA and would like to explore how Mendix can speed up service delivery? 

Contact us at [email protected] for a consultation!