4 Where should we host ?

4.1.1 The shared workspace faces a significant issue due to the conflict of interest surrounding access to aggregated policy information.

• Should we run our own shared workspace?

• Are private sector services acceptable?

• Are foreign private sector services acceptable?

4.1.2 Information in the shared workspace will be classified up to and including SENSITIVE.

4.1.3 Information about future Government policy has value. Developing NZ Government policy on a service hosted overseas would increase the risk of foreign governments gathering intelligence about our decision making process.

4.1.4 Developing NZ Government policy on a service hosted in New Zealand could potentially create a conflict of interest with the hosting provider, who could benefit from knowledge of future Government policy.

4.1.5 The Government already entrusts SENSITIVE and IN CONFIDENCE information to private sector providers.

4.2 Recommendation

4.2.1 It is recommended that the shared workspace be operated within a Government agency. The shared workspace will contain SENSITIVE information and be a piece of critical information infrastructure, so should be protected accordingly.