In today’s dynamic digital landscape, companies face increasing challenges related to IT infrastructure, data security, and business continuity. Data Cloud Technology (DCT) has positioned itself as a trusted partner, offering comprehensive IT solutions in cloud services, colocation, escrow services, and cybersecurity. The tools they employ ensure security and seamless integration for all their clients
We had the opportunity to speak with experts from DCT: Milorad Stojanović, Director of the Cloud and IT Infrastructure Sector, and Darko Šehović, Information Security Manager, who provided insight into the company’s operations.
How does DCT tailor its services to the needs of different industries?
— Milorad Stojanović: “DCT understands that each industry has specific requirements when it comes to cloud infrastructure. That is why we take an individual approach to every client, analysing their business processes and customising our solutions to achieve optimal results. On the other hand, data security and availability are mandatory needs for every company, regardless of industry.
Since the state built the most advanced Data Centre in this part of Europe, certified to the highest EN50600 (Tier 4) standard for construction, management, and maintenance quality, we can proudly say that in nearly five years of operation, we have not experienced a single second of downtime. This is despite the fact that the standard prescribes 99.995% availability, allowing for 18 minutes of downtime annually. This level of reliability has been recognised by major global companies such as Oracle, IBM, Huawei, and BET365, as well as numerous domestic and regional firms, including nearly all telecom and service provider operators that have placed their equipment and data in our Data Centre.
However, Data Cloud Technology did not stop there. As the next step in our growth, we established a highly available and reliable Public Cloud environment based on the IaaS/PaaS model. It is worth noting that our cloud virtualisation environment hosts the information systems and data of foreign banks, university clinical centres, and general hospitals in Serbia, as well as the three largest energy companies in the country.”
What new developments and innovations in cloud technology is DCT planning for the future?
— Milorad Stojanović: “By keeping pace with the latest trends, we have identified a growing need for solutions that ensure business continuity and disaster protection. As a result, we are focusing on the development of services in this domain: DRaaS (Disaster Recovery as a Service) and DAaaS (Disaster Avoidance as a Service).
DRaaS is a cloud service that enables organisations to replicate and host their physical or virtual servers in a cloud environment, providing a backup location for data storage. This ensures rapid recovery in the event of a disaster, whether it be a natural disaster, cyberattack, hardware failure, or human error. The service includes continuous data replication and virtual machine synchronisation with our Data Centre, providing real-time data updates and an automated failover process to minimise business interruptions.
DAaaS, on the other hand, is a proactive service aimed at preventing disasters rather than simply recovering from them. This service focuses on predicting and mitigating potential risks that could lead to business disruptions. The key features of a successful DAaaS process include proactive and continuous monitoring of IT infrastructure and applications, identifying and assessing potential threats to business operations, optimising system performance, and implementing redundancy to eliminate single points of failure.
DCT understands that each industry has specific requirements when it comes to cloud infrastructure. That is why we take an individual approach to every client, analysing their business processes and customising our solutions to achieve optimal results
In this context, we are also working on establishing our optical ring, based on DWDM technology. This will enable us to provide end-to-end high-speed and reliable connectivity between our Data Centre and our clients’ primary locations, with data transmission speeds of up to nx100Gbps at the IP level and nx64Gbps at the FC level.”
Colocation is a service that enables companies to rent physical space for hosting their servers and network equipment within the professionally managed environment of the Government Data Centre.
The escrow service provides a secure repository for source code. We offer the highest industry-standard network protection, utilising state-of-the-art data storage technologies to ensure source code remains safeguarded from unforeseen events.
How does DCT ensure a high level of security for its clients?
— Darko Šehović: “The rapid pace of digitalisation has presented many companies with significant challenges in ensuring adequate cybersecurity for their systems and information, which are now the lifeblood of every digital framework. From its inception, the Government Data Centre set the bar exceptionally high, implementing the most stringent security standards, covering both physical and technical security, as well as information security protocols such as SOC2, PCI-DSS, ISO 27001, ISO 27701, and numerous other regulations and standards.
Numerous international clients, representatives of critical infrastructure, and the public sector have not only shaped our trajectory but have also been a strong motivation for us to adopt some of the best global practices in the field of cybersecurity. As a synonym for ‚the safest place for your data in Serbia‘, we continuously strive to meet expectations and maintain the highest security standards.
Recognising current trends, we have decided to expand our service portfolio by introducing information security management services in response to the growing shortage of qualified personnel and increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
Some of the services developed by our young and highly promising team include cybersecurity incident monitoring, detection and response, tracking emerging cyber threats, identifying vulnerabilities within ICT systems, and providing knowledge assessments and cybersecurity training.”
DTC actively contributes to sustainability and environmental balance through innovation and responsible business practices. What is your strategic approach to ESG principles?
— Darko Šehović: “Innovation and responsible business conduct form the foundation of our sustainable future. We are dedicated to ESG principles through efficient resource management, the implementation of sustainable technologies, and energy optimisation. We continuously enhance working conditions, support communities, foster inclusion and ethical standards, ensure transparency, and diligently work on compiling ESG report.”