Published: 09.06.2021.

1. Name of the Fund

European External Borders Fund

2. Annual programme

2011

3. Priority

Priority “Support for the establishment of IT systems necessary for the implementation of Community instruments in the field of external borders and visas”

4. Activity

Activity 4.4 “Preparation of the national SIS II application, related information systems, technical infrastructure and data for the start of operations of SIS II”

5. Project name

“Preparation of the national SIS II application, related information systems, technical infrastructure and data for the start of operations of SIS II”

6. Project description

During the evaluation of the infrastructure related to the development and implementation of the Second Generation Schengen Information System, the Information Center identified significant shortcomings that jeopardize the future implementation of the SIS II. The results of the assessment confirmed that the existing information and communication infrastructure is outdated and does not meet the modern requirements for critical data processing infrastructure. Consequently, a serious modernization of the ICT infrastructure is required, which includes the modernization of computer equipment, including servers, and data storage and optical data transmission network.
The necessary hardware upgrades include the upgrading and purchase of hardware for multi-purpose servers, data warehouses and SIS II infrastructure staff. This situation is linked to the insufficient performance and capacity of the existing server resources for the needs of the SIS II, as well as the fact that without the modernization of these resources it will no longer be possible for them to renew the warranty and technical service contracts as the relevant manufacturers will cease providing technical support. Due to similar circumstances, it is also necessary to purchase new hardware for the staff maintaining the SIS II infrastructure, as the existing hardware is currently obsolete and unable to provide sufficient speed and accessibility.
In addition to the modernization of computer equipment, a major modernization of the optical transmission network is also required. The existing computer network of the Ministry of the Interior (MoI) is based on a fiber-optic cable network that connects the buildings of several MoI institutions in the city of Riga. This network was established in 1998 and since then the cables have become obsolete and in the next two years there is a possibility of degradation of their quality parameters, which will endanger the operation of the MoI computer network used for the SIS II data transmission. An important component of the computer network, the modernization of which is vital, is the network anomaly detection systems. It will not be possible to manage and maintain the security of a computer network without upgrading this system.
In addition to the modernization of hardware and computer network resources, the successful operation of the SIS II requires a comprehensive set of measures related to the development of National SIS II, SIRENE data flow and related national registers, data quality improvement, data flow testing and preparation of existing SIS I + preparation of data for migration to the SIS II data format.
Within the framework of the development of the National SIS II, SIRENE data flow and related national registers, preparatory work must be performed to start using the second generation Schengen Information System in 2013, it is necessary to re-upgrade and improve the software involved in the SIS data processing. Another important measure is the improvement of the data quality of the National SIS and the related national registers, which includes deficiencies of the quality of data necessary for the start of operation of the second generation Schengen Information System, which may hinder the transfer of their data to the Central SIS II database. The preparation of the existing SIS I + data for the migration to the SIS II data format is necessary because the data model of the current first generation Schengen Information System is different from the data model planned for the SIS II. In addition, in accordance with the commitments made, Latvia needs to participate in the testing of the National SIS II and SIRENE data flow.

7. Procurement