Transport Canada (TC) Infrastructure Modernization - Cloud / DR / Workload Migration

Transport Canada (TC) IT Infrastructure Modernization

The goal of this project is to deliver a complete modern infrastructure environment for TC applications in the Cloud or modern data centers. This requires building a foundational Cloud environment, planning and executing a workload migration plan, as well as creating and implementing a Disaster Recovery Management Program. In conjunction with SSC, a secure network to Cloud and authentication services will be established.

This work is being done within the framework of the Cloud Smart strategy that indicated that a modern secure TC infrastructure includes moving some applications to the cloud and other to leverage SSC EDCs in situations where an EDC makes more sense such as Apps that are being decomisioned, only need to be sustained or where the cloud offers no business value.

The Cloud will provide TC with a modern, scalable, and resilient infrastructure which offers disaster recovery and rapid time to market to support a safe, secure, efficient, and environmentally responsible transportation system in Canada.

This project is meant to address the business needs and opportunities of:

• Providing IT recovery services in the event of a disaster to ensure the delivery of critical services affecting the safety, security, and economic viability of Canadian citizens continues to operate normally.
• Responding to the Cloud First principle and direction from TBS for delivery of Digital Services.
• Responding to demands for increased IT capabilities and increased IT capacity to support TC’s programs.
• Adopting DevSecOps and modern development methodologies that are enhanced by Cloud services, such as working in Agile, Open, Collaboration.
• Implementing a Disaster Recovery Management program in response to the TBS Policy on Government Security to provide IT service continuity in a timely and efficient manner.

The key deliverables are:

• Modernized TC IT environment using Cloud solutions.
• Migration of all applications/systems within the Workload Migration (WLM) initiative to the Cloud or a SSC EDC.
• Application development and support model modernization to enable Cloud solutions providing efficiencies in delivery time and cost.
• Validated and maintained Disaster Recovery Management framework in place.

Strategy Shift

With the current data center closures shifting from a 2023 date to a 2025 date, TC has a chance to re-evaluate it's strategy towards a "Cloud Smart" approach as opposed to a "Cloud First" approach. This strategy shift will allow TC to move some applications to new EDCs instead of only the cloud, based on what is more appropriate for the specific application and will ensure that our cloud strategy is based on business value.

TC is currently re-defining its overall Cloud strategy to align to the new Government of Canada Cloud strategy that will focus on Cloud Smart. This includes a reassesment of our application list and migration approach.

Secure Cloud Enablement and Defence (SCED) / Secure Cloud to Groud (SC2G)

As workloads are migrated to the Cloud, the GC perimeter shifts outside of the on-premise environment, and measures must be put in place to monitor and protect these Cloud-based environments, and respond to cyber threats quickly. The establishment of private, dedicated connections to GC approved Cloud Service Providers (CSP) will enable a hybrid IT environment, and ensure that the GC can continue to have secure access to information systems and solutions hosted in the Cloud.

Secure Cloud Enablement and Defence (SCED) or Secure Cloud to Ground (SC2G) is secure connectivity from Cloud to Ground that is being implemented for applications and platforms that handle Protected B data. Working with SSC, TC has implemented SCED as a pilot project for two applications: Enterprise BI and Data Analytics (eBIDA) and Policy on Government Security (PGS). SCED went live in February 2021, and TC is working with SSC to onboard additional applications.

Cloud Service Operation Model (CSOM)

The Cloud Service Operation Model (CSOM) is a framework used to assess current levels of organizational maturity in the operation, management, and governance of Cloud services. The CSOM framework and methodology is iterative and can be used for existing and new Cloud services. Microsoft performed a CSOM evaluation for TC and delivered a final report. Next steps are under review with the TC leadership team.

Project Status

This project is using Agile methodology and is in Phase 3, Launch/Execution & Control, of the TC Project Management Framework 4 Gate Model. TC's Azure Cloud Foundational Environment has been granted Authority to Operate (ATO) up to Protected-B for applications not requiring secure network connectivity.

Overall, the project was impacted by the delayed SSC delivery of SCED (Secure Cloud Enablement & Defence), required for applications that need secure connectivity, but is now moving forward with a SCED pilot for two COVID-19 related applications: PGS and eBIDA. Applications related to the COVID-19 response have been given top priority for migration, so more resources will be put on these, and other activities may be impacted. For PGS and eBIDA, resources from Solutions Centre and Microsoft have been secured for Cloud migration work. TC is working with SSC to pilot SSC's Cloud Operating Model, using DevSecOps.

Disaster Recovery (DR) plans are implemented for each application that moves to the Cloud, if required. The full DR program is expected to be set up and operational by the end of the calendar year 2022. All applications are expected to be in the Cloud, with DR plans if required, by March 2023.

Milestones	Initial Target Completion Date	Forecast Completion Date	Actual Completion Date	Comments
Project Kickoff	2017-10-26	2017-10-26	2017-10-26	Complete: Project started on 2017-10-26.
Discovery & Analysis for Disaster Recovery (DR)	2018-10-05	2018-10-05	2018-10-05	Complete: Initial research for establishing a Disaster Recovery Program for TC.
Gate 0 Phase 1: Discovery and Initial Cloud Foundation	2019-04-29	2019-04-01	2019-04-01	Complete: Task awarded to Microsoft to collect information and create Cloud environment for TC applications.
Gate 1 Phase 2: Application Target State Assessment	2019-09-20	2019-09-20	2019-09-20	Complete: All business systems assessed and assigned a Cloud target state.
Cloud Foundation Build	2019-04-01	2019-10-18	2019-10-18	Complete: Cloud working environment for TC applications and platforms.
Gate 2 Project Execution Approval (under the PMF 4 Gate Model)	2020-03-01	2020-03-01	2020-01-30	Complete: Approval received for project execution.
Secure Cloud Enablement Defence (SCED) Pilot Implementation	2018-07-16	2021-02-08	2021-02-08	SCED implemented in pilot project. General Availability (GA) is expected in November 2021.
Scrum Phase 5 Sprints	2021-03-02	2021-03-02	2021-03-02
Scrum Phase 6 Sprints	2021-07-09	2021-07-09
Secure Cloud Enablement Defence (SCED) General Availability (GA)	2021-11-30	2021-11-30
Application Inventory	2021-03-31	2022-03-31
Definition of Migration Criteria	2021-03-31	2022-03-31
Wave 0 Apps (15)	2021-03-31	2022-03-31
Update of TC Cloud/EDC Migration Strategy	2021-03-31	2022-03-31
Seek Approval for Re-baseline of Project Schedule and Cost (Based on GoC Cloud Strategy Finalization)	2021-03-31	2022-03-31
Wave 1 Apps (55)	2022-03-31	2023-03-31
Wave 2 Apps (75)	2023-03-31	2024-03-31
Wave 3 Apps (85)	2024-03-31	2025-03-31
Wave 4 Apps (95)	2025-03-31	2026-03-31
Full DR Implementation, Test, Analysis and Recommended Action Plan	2023-03-31	2023-03-31
DR Policy, Master Plan, and Framework Development and Approval	2023-03-31	2023-03-31
Gate 3 - Project Completion Date - Approval for Project Close	2023-03-31	2023-03-31
Gate 4 - Project Close	2023-04-15	2023-04-15

Key Accomplishments

• Completed Oracle OCI Proof of Concept and procured Oracle OCI credits to be used for migration.
• Aligned TC's AWS solution to GC standards (GC PBMM Accelerator) to better position TC for enabling SCED in AWS.
• Fortinet and FortiAnalyzer Cloud firewalls were deployed for the project, enabling foundational security measures for SCED.
• TC-SSC ADM Cloud Steering Committee created to address issues and risks associated with this project.
• SCED pilot in progress for PGS and eBIDA. Planning complete and implementation phase in progress, including SSC infrastructure work.
• Applications related to COVID-19 response were prioritized and work is underway.
• Upgraded the Microsoft Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR) features to use a centralized portal.
• Created a Cloud Migration Checklist for teams to use for migrating their apps to the Cloud.
• Created a Cloud Workload Prioritization framework to establish a priority order for applications moving to the Cloud.
• Created an Application Gateway script that dramatically reduces the amount of time required to create and configure subdomains on the network. As a manual process, creating and configuring subdomains takes about 30 minutes for each one, but with the new script it takes only 2 minutes. The script contains all the accurate settings for the subdomains, which removes any chance of configuration errors, and therefore saves the team potential troubleshooting time. The script is shared in the GCAccelerators github.
• Launched an Education Initiative as a way to create and distribute content to educate other teams in TC about Cloud migration and operations. As one of the first steps in this initiative, an onboarding checklist was created to help teams understand the steps involved in their journey to the Cloud.
• Created an Assessment Scorecard as a way to assess the criticality of moving applications to the Cloud and create a priority order. This scorecard will assist ARB with a technical understanding of the applications in the migration pipeline so they can make a decision about the migration priority order.
• All active TC employees (7,079) have been on-boarded to MS Teams.
• Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) is now available for Cloud-based applications at TC. ADFS provides users with single sign-on capabilities by establishing a link between TC’s Azure Active Directory and the on-premise Active Directory. This reduces the amount of usernames and passwords required to log on to Cloud-based applications.
• TC and TBS have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to fund Cloud Migration activities.
• Completed implementation of security controls required for Protected-B Cloud environment.
• Completed assessment of TC's applications for readiness to be migrated to the Cloud.
• Contracted industry Cloud expertise to assist to create, configure, and train TC FTE staff.
• Established the foundational Cloud environment, Hybrid Cloud Management (HCM), to start accepting workloads.
• As part of Culture change to adopt Cloud, 37 (formal and informal) Training sessions, 11 Technical Talks, 33 Awareness building roadshows, and four TC-wide Cloud engagement sessions have been completed.
• TC is sharing with other GC Agencies and Departments the Azure Network Template Generator via the GitHub repository.
• Began implementing DevSecOps methodology for this project.
• Dedicated TC Cloud Centre of Excellence (#TC3OE) has been established.          

Overview of Transport Canada’s Cloud Centre of Excellence (#TC3OE)

TC3OE is Transport Canada’s Cloud Centre of Excellence. The TC3oE team is enabling the delivery of modern digital solutions by leveraging the Agility, Flexibility, Elasticity, and Disaster Recovery features of Cloud technologies. The team supports and maintains the Cloud foundational infrastructure, and aids designers in the planning, procurement, configuration and integration of Cloud services, so that TC clients can quickly address their rapidly changing business needs.

#TC3OE can be contacted via email at: TC.Cloud-Infonuagique.TC@tc.gc.ca

Challenges: Risks and Issues

RISK	If the project isn't able to sufficiently resource the Disaster Recovery (DR) role, then a DR program will not be implemented, negatively impacting the recovery of critical IT applications.
Impact	High
Probability	Medium
Mitigation	Find resources to create and implement a DR program for the project.

RISK	If the project team doesn't create and implement a change management process, then they won't be able to effectively navigate project impacts, which will put the overall project at risk.
Impact	High
Probability	Medium
Mitigation	Find resources to create and implement a change management process for the project.

RISK	If there is not enough Cloud expertise and capacity on application/platform teams, then workload migration to the Cloud stalls, delaying the project schedule.
Impact	High
Probability	Medium
Mitigation	Engage each application/platform team early in the process, secure temporary Cloud expertise - in part by gaining resourcing through TBS, and escalate accordingly if there is not enough capacity.

ISSUE	With a lengthy SCED onboarding process, our ability to migrate at scale may be impacted
Impact	High
Resolution Plan	Initiate change request process to adjust project end date to align with MCDC shutdown in 2025.

ISSUE	Ongoing application assessments show that teams with applications/systems dependent on SCED/Oracle DBs are choosing not to prepare for migration at this time, causing significant delays to the migration schedule.
Impact	High
Resolution Plan	Acquire OCI to provide Oracle solutions in the Cloud, and continue to use the Application Prioritization Framework to assess readiness for migration.

Guidance and Documentation

• Frequently Asked Questions  
• GC Cloud Adoption Strategy
• Journey to the Cloud
• TC Cloud Corner
• Azure Network Template Generator on GitHub

Workload Migration Categorizations (Business Applications in Scope)

Data was sourced from the previous Microsoft Assessment.

Security Classification	No Active Directory Dependency	No Connectivity	Requires Active Directory	Requires Connectivity with EDC	SQL Database	Total
Unclassified	84	21	40	103	7	124
Protected A	87	9	60	138	5	147
Protected B	46	8	9	47	4	55
Total	217	38	109	288	16	326

Application Workload Migration via Agile Sprints

This project is following an iterative Agile process to migrate applications to the Cloud.

App/Platform State	Description
Not Started	Work has not yet started on migrating the app/platform to Cloud.
PROD/DR	Production and Disaster Recovery testing. App/platform is in the PROD environment and ready for review, testing, and cutover to Cloud.
Backlog	App/platform is next in line for migration.
In Progress	App/platform work in progress.
On Hold	App/platform is on hold until a future date.

Apps/Platforms In Production	Current State	Notes
Alexa Recalls	PROD
ASD	PROD
eBIDA	PROD	Related to COVID-19 response. Part of SCED pilot.
CARS Exemption	PROD	Migrated to Cloud February 19, 2021. SSC COM pilot project successfully completed.
EGIS	PROD
iServer	PROD
MEDV	PROD
Navigable Waters Act Registry	PROD
NWAR-ESS	PROD
Open Data	PROD
PGS	PROD	Related to COVID-19 response. Part of SCED pilot.
SRF	PROD
TCLR	PROD
TC Search	PROD
TC WWW	PROD
TMSA	PROD
CVS	PROD
Document Services	PROD
LoV	PROD
MITRACK	PROD
myTC	PROD
SAC	PROD
SeaFarer	PROD
tc.gc.ca	PROD
Vessel Registry	PROD
Workload Mgmt Services	PROD

Apps/Platforms Backlog	Current State	Notes
Digital Workspace and GC Docs	Backlog
LDPS	Planning
MISS XIM	Planning
MMERS	UAT	Waiting on ATOs to go to PROD.
PRET	DEV	Development work in progress.
SSCIMS	Planning
Tachyon	Planning
TEAMMATE	UAT	Performance testing in progress.
RPA CoE (UIPath)	backlog
SAP BI	backlog
WebFarms	backlog
ZAMMAD	DEV	Development work in progress.

Apps/Platforms in Progress	Current State	Notes
EGIS	In Progress
XIM	In Progress

Apps/Platforms On Hold	Current State	Notes
RPA CoE (BluePrism)	On Hold
Tachyon and Active Efficiency	On Hold

Apps/Platforms in Pipeline	Current State	Notes
BALLAST INTERVENTIONS	Not Started
BASE NAVIRES	Not Started
CVSA	Not Started
Digital Signatures	N/A	Related to COVID-19 response. No need for migration. This is a SaaS application so it's already using Cloud.
FORMATION	Not Started
FORMATION_WEB	Not Started
INC_POLL 2014	Not Started
MTCO-SMTC	Not Started
PROFIL-FORMNAX	Not Started
PROJETCERTI	Not Started
QAIMS	Not Started
SIVP-VISP	Not Started
TRAVERSES	Not Started

Business Drivers and Timeline for TC's Journey to the Cloud