 |
|
| INFOART.RU | Computers |
|
|
|
 |  |
Russian vice prime minister Ilya Klebanov, the head of governmental committee on Y2K problem, firmly believes that the country has coped with it. While meeting with journalists and diplomats in Moscow, Mr. Klebanov underscored that Problem 2000 has been considered in Russia at the governmental level since 1998. The nation-wide plan was set up, advanced recommendations were developed and submitted to addressees in due time. A few hundreds of the "competence centers" have been established. These centers provide active help to all businesses and organizations, including private ones, in fixing the problem. During this time, Mr. Klebanov says, check-up of information systems was done and the ones potentially vulnerable to Y2K bugs were identified. Upgrades of all critical national systems are completed by now, including the systems which play principal role for stable operation of the national economy and life support, state control, national security, and fulfillment of international agreements and obligations. Hardware and software upgrades of the other systems are actively carried out where necessary. All-round checks of Y2K readiness of various systems and objects were done. Ilya Klebanov also highlighted that solving the Y2K problem is regularly monitored in all regions, in Moscow and St.-Petersburg cities, Ministry of Nuclear Power, Ministry of Defense, Federal Air Transportation Service, in industry-forming companies like Gazprom and United Power System of Russia, in other departments and industries. The Federal Center on Y2K problem and a number of industry-specific situation and crisis centers were established. Russian vice prime minister spoke about his visit to situation and crisis center of the Ministry of Nuclear Power and acquaintance with solutions of actual problems in various situations. During the visit he checked communications with all nuclear facilities throughout Russia, as well as with corresponding institutions in other countries, in particular, in USA. "Successful solution of the Problem 2000 is our saint duty for the global community", said Ilya Klebanov. "There is no doubt that Russia, as well as many other leading countries, upon which the security of our entire civilization greatly depends, is ready for Year 2000." Speaking about potential failures and accidents, Russian vice prime minister mentioned that a hundred per cent confidence in their absence in Russia, as well as in any other country, may be achieved only in a few hours after the millenium midnight. Thus possible emergency situations are analyzed and measures for solving them are planned in advance. Alexander Volokitin, vice minister of communications and informatization, specified that manual control is optionally possible in many systems. Production cycles of dangerous and continuous industrial processes have been corrected. For the case of unexpected and extreme situations, corresponding plans, scenarios, regulations and instructions for governmental institutions, management and technical personnel have been developed. In spite of these precautions, the speakers expressed their belief that the New Year night will end without Y2K-related accidents. This position was stated by officials of Ministry of Nuclear Power, Ministry of Defense, Federal Air Transportation Service, Ministry of Fuel and Power, Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Extreme Situations. Russian vice minister of foreign affairs Ivan Sergeev underscored that placing Russia at the last positions in various Y2K readiness ratings is "baseless" and "does not take the actual state of affairs into account". Source: InfoArt News Agency
