Government
Government departments and state-owned enterprises hold citizens' most sensitive personal information — and face cyber threats from hacktivist groups to nation-state actors. OAS delivers Citrix virtual workspaces, endpoint protection, and managed security services designed for government's unique requirements: data sovereignty, MISS compliance, air-gapped deployment capability, and the ability to operate within government procurement frameworks.
The Challenges Facing Government IT
South African government departments face a convergence of challenges that the private sector rarely encounters. Ageing legacy infrastructure sits alongside critical cybersecurity skills shortages. Increasing cyberattacks target government systems — from hacktivism to sophisticated nation-state campaigns. The Minimum Information Security Standards (MISS) framework, POPIA, and Cabinet directives on data localisation impose strict obligations on how government data is handled, stored, and protected.
At the same time, the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) drives digital transformation through the e-Government Strategy. Departments must modernise and digitise citizen services — without compromising the security controls that government demands.
How OAS Serves Government
OAS understands government's unique operating environment. Our solutions are designed for data sovereignty, classified environments, and the procurement frameworks that government requires.
Citrix Virtual Desktops for Government
On-premises Citrix CVAD deployments within government data centres ensure complete data sovereignty. No data leaves your network. For classified environments, OAS deploys Citrix entirely within air-gapped networks — with no cloud management dependencies, offline licence activation, and isolated management infrastructure.
OAS has partnered with Citrix since 1987. Citrix virtual desktops are widely deployed across SA government — from parliamentary systems to departmental application delivery. Our Platinum partnership and 40+ year track record make OAS the natural partner for government Citrix environments.
Thin client deployment to government desktops reduces hardware costs and improves security posture. Session recording and watermarking provide accountability and audit trails.
Endpoint Protection for Distributed Government
SentinelOne autonomous EDR protects departmental workstations, ministerial devices, and field office computers. Offline protection capability is critical for government sites with intermittent connectivity — behavioural AI detection operates without relying on signature updates or constant network access.
Managed Security — Protect, Detect, Recover
The Three Pillar framework — SentinelOne (Protect), N-able RMM (Detect), and Cove Data Protection (Recover) — provides government departments with enterprise-grade security without the need to recruit and retain scarce cybersecurity specialists. OAS manages the entire security stack, so your department gets 24/7 protection delivered as a service.
SIEM and Security Analytics
Splunk centralised log aggregation correlates events across government systems. Compliance reporting aligns with MISS, POPIA, and departmental audit requirements. Security event correlation supports threat detection and incident investigation — providing the evidence that auditors and oversight bodies require.
Network Security and Access Control
Citrix Secure Private Access and NetScaler provide secure internet access with content filtering policies and data loss prevention. Zero Trust network access supports government employees working remotely or from satellite offices — replacing traditional VPN with identity-based, policy-driven access controls.
Compliant Backup and Data Protection
Cove Data Protection stores all backup data within South African borders — meeting data sovereignty requirements without exception. Compliance archiving supports National Archives Act record-keeping obligations. Immutable backups protect against ransomware.
Vulnerability Management
N-able automates OS and application patching across distributed government offices. Vulnerability scanning and remediation reporting support MISS compliance. Configuration compliance monitoring ensures systems remain in a known, secure state.
Data Sovereignty — Non-Negotiable
Every OAS solution can be deployed entirely within South African borders:
- On-premises Citrix in government data centres
- Azure South Africa regions (Johannesburg and Cape Town) for approved cloud workloads
- Cove backup with SA-located storage
- No data leaves SA jurisdiction at any point
For workloads approved under the Government Cloud First Policy, OAS deploys Citrix DaaS on Azure South Africa. For sensitive and classified workloads, on-premises deployment remains fully supported.
MISS Compliance Mapped
OAS maps its solutions directly to the Minimum Information Security Standards framework:
- Physical security — government data centre compliance
- Personnel security — Citrix session access tied to government identity management
- Document security — data loss prevention controls via Citrix session policies and M365 DLP
- IT security — SentinelOne endpoint protection, N-able monitoring, Splunk audit logging
- Communication security — encrypted connections via NetScaler and Citrix Secure Private Access
Government Procurement
OAS maintains B-BBEE compliance appropriate for government procurement and understands supply chain management regulations. OAS participates in government tenders directly and through SITA transversal contracts.
Our co-managed service model aligns with government's preference for retaining operational control while augmenting with specialist capabilities. OAS provides security and Citrix expertise. Your department's IT team handles day-to-day operations. Skills transfer is built into every engagement — building your internal capacity while OAS maintains managed service delivery.
Why Government Departments Choose OAS
- 40+ years serving enterprise and government clients across Southern Africa
- Citrix Platinum Partner — the highest tier, with proven government deployment experience
- Air-gapped deployment capability for classified environments
- Complete data sovereignty — all solutions within SA borders
- Co-managed model — augments your IT team rather than replacing it
- Skills transfer built into every engagement
- B-BBEE compliant and experienced in government procurement
Securing Government in the Digital Age
Your department's cybersecurity posture protects the personal information of every citizen you serve. OAS's free security assessment identifies gaps in your current defences and provides a practical roadmap to enterprise-grade protection — aligned to MISS, POPIA, and your department's specific requirements.