FR: Ministry of Defence prefers Open Source software, open standards

The ministry aims to increase its use of Open Source software. "We will make an effort before any acquisition or any internal development, to identify whether an alternative or comparable solution in Open Source software is available", the IT department writes in its directive about software use in the Ministry, published in March.

Open Source software will be selected if in comparison with proprietary or custom build software, function, costs and risks are equal, the IT department writes.

The department expects some Open Source projects to be improved by the Defence IT workers, resulting in certification of the software. "To support competition and the innovation in market dominated by a monopoly, the ministry for Defence will when possible contribute to Open Source development projects."

Open standards

The ministry also prefers open standards software. "Open standards and open formats will be adopted for new IT systems, and for important changes in the existing systems."

In its document the IT department lists the preferred open standards and open formats.

The outlines on open standards and Open Source software in the document are similar to guidelines developed by the French Gendarmerie last year.

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