Home > Companies > Thought Leaders > Q&A with Joshua Ellul, Chairman at Malta Digital Innovation Authority

Q&A with Joshua Ellul, Chairman at Malta Digital Innovation Authority

Joshua Ellul, Chairman at Malta Digital Innovation Authority
Joshua Ellul, Chairman, Malta Digital Innovation Authority, is the director of the Centre for Distributed Ledger Technologies which runs a multidisciplinary Masters in Blockchain and DLT. He is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Malta. He is also Chairperson of the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA). His research interests include Blockchain/DLT/Smart Contracts, Virtual Machines #VMs, the Internet of Things #IoT; and the intersections and crossings between Blockchain and IoT, and Technology and Law.

I am a strong believer that innovation should be promoted and not be stifled.



MEDIA 7: Could you please tell us a little bit about yourself and what made you choose this career path?
JOSHUA ELLUL: To me, it seems like a sequence of events have led to this career path to choose me more than I chose it as if I were to think back 20 years ago I never thought I would end up having taken on such a role. Being more inclined towards programming and lesser towards other academic affairs, I started working as a programmer at a young age and a great friend suggested that I study Computer Science at the University. I tried it out and ended up pursuing an academic career in Computer Science. Then, when Malta announced its ambitions within the blockchain sector, a fellow University colleague and I who were undertaking research in blockchain reached out to the Government to see what was being proposed. We then ended up being roped into providing input into the blockchain-related legislation, and further consulting regarding the setting up of the Malta Digital Innovation Authority’s regulatory framework.

Through this process, I started to appreciate how technology, due to its impact on society, does not live outside the law in a vacuum. Whilst, yet at the same time new decentralized technology poses serious challenges to imposing legal requirements on it. I am a strong believer that innovation should be promoted and not be stifled – yet at the same time, I do understand that societies put in place consumer protection mechanisms (along with legal certainty and uphold market integrity). Through this process, I became interested not only in the technology but the problems associated with bridging the techno- regulatory worlds. I was then asked to be Chairperson of the Malta Digital Innovation Authority, at which point the answer to me was obvious.


M7: What exactly is your vision – in one or two sentences – for Malta Digital Innovation Authority? Are these visions inspirational, aspirational, transformational?
JE: My vision for the MDIA includes:

(I) To ensure that technology-related regulation (which is mentioned and called for internationally evermore increasingly) does not stifle potential innovation, whilst at the same time provides assurances where required.

(II) To investigate and implement new ways of both regulation and de-regulation of technology-related aspects in which automation and decentralization can play a large part.

(III) To help play a part in fostering a digital eco-system (being a regulator though of course, it needs to remain impartial and independent of external entities so the part it plays can be limiting).


The financial system is changing due to the innovation brought about by blockchain.



M7: Could you please throw some light on MDIA’s recently launched Technology Assurance Sandbox and its benefits for the digital start-ups?
JE: When the MDIA was set up, its priority was to put into place a technology certification framework adequate for cryptocurrency-related activities, which tend to be high risk. Due to this, smaller operations and start-ups do not fit well into such a certification framework. The Technology Assurance Sandbox (TAS) aims to fill that void, allowing for such less-risk smaller operations to aim towards building assurances in its processes and technologies in a more flexible manner. The TAS also serves as a flexible regulatory tool allowing for the MDIA to investigate different mechanisms in the regulatory tool spectrum.


M7: You have a keen interest in the Blockchain landscape, what are your predictions on blockchain and digital currencies transforming the financial system as we know it?
JE: Any way you look at it, the financial system is changing due to the innovation brought about by blockchain. Based upon what we have been seeing and being proposed, I believe we will see within the next few years:

(I) Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) being rolled out, some of which will have blockchain-like features (e.g. smart contract-like programmability) which will enable quick uptake given that most businesses already operate within such environments;

(II) CBDCs are heavily centralized by nature, so then it will be a question of whether companies and individuals choose to continue utilizing centralized CBDCs or move towards decentralized cryptocurrency alternatives;

(III) Over time I feel that these two worlds will collide where both will play a part in the future financial system, where CBDCs provide both services that provide centralized jurisdictional guarantees as well as wrap decentralized services for users – allowing for much of the complexities of using decentralized systems to be hidden away, providing ease of use and access. Furthermore, I envisage that CBDCs will provide an on-boarding mechanism for users to enter and operate completely within the decentralized world. Although, indeed they may also choose to oppose this direction.


In order to stay competitive, entities and individuals need to look into how emerging technologies are and will affect their professional and even personal lives.



M7: What do you think is essential to stay competitive in a market that is going through constant digitalization?
JE: Mostly every (if not every) aspect of life is affected by digitalization, and the future workforce will require the right level of technological know-how required for the particular profession. Education is key – and not just formal education.  In order to stay competitive, entities and individuals need to look into how emerging technologies are and will affect their professional (and even personal) lives.


M7: What do you read, and how do you consume information to stay at the top of your game?
JE: Most of my reading is focused around:

(I) Academic research which I require to do to keep up with the state-of-the-art in order to work on cutting-edge developments.

(II) Policy-related documents particularly focusing on aspects of emerging technology and on related sectors attempting to apply technology regulation.

(III) Opinion pieces that I come across that seem of interest. Then, with reading (and in general learning) one needs to be careful to not ‘waste’ time on going too deep on certain aspects that may go beyond what is required at the time – since time is limited one needs to learn how to deal with uncertainty and lacunae of knowledge in certain areas. For such areas, at times, it is good enough to work at a more abstract level, and when extensive detail is required one will either need to dig deeper or rely on other experts. Pragmatism is important in ensuring I can stay on top of my game.

ABOUT MDIA

MDIA is the primary Authority responsible for promoting governmental policies that promote Malta as the center for excellence for technological innovation while setting and enforcing standards that ensure compliance with any other international obligations. The Authority seeks to protect and support users and also encourages all types of innovations, by allowing for flexibility when it comes to the certification of Innovative Technology Arrangements.

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Permuta Launches SaaS Version of DefenseReady on Microsoft Azure Government DoD Cloud

PR Newswire | January 19, 2024

Permuta, a leading HR modernization and talent management software platform for Federal organizational readiness and operational excellence, announced today the release of its first ever SaaS product for DefenseReady with AI and Machine Learning capabilities, called DefenseReady Cloud. The release comes after a decade of on-premise DefenseReady applications and two years after the release of a DoD ATO cloud-hosted IaaS option on IL5. "DefenseReady Cloud provides DoD and approved civilian organizations the low code/no code SaaS/AI solution that ingests existing data sources, regardless of location, to provide a single pane of glass that informs leaders to make readiness decisions which will help our forces be stronger, safer, and our country more competitive," said Sig Behrens, Permuta's CEO. "Our mission has always been to assist in putting the right people, in the right place, at the right time," said Behrens. "And now leadership can have the highest level of confidence on the DISA's approved Microsoft DoD tenant while saving operational costs." "Microsoft is committed to helping the DoD use innovative technologies to meet their critical mission needs and working with key partners like Permuta enables us to innovate and scale solutions for our national security leaders," says Wes Anderson, Vice President for Defense, Microsoft. "This collaboration with Permuta on the DefenseReady cloud will enable Department of Defense leaders to make fully informed operational and readiness decisions with speed." About Permuta Permuta Technologies Inc., is a privately owned software manufacturer which creates off-the-shelf software which has been tailored for military and civilian organizations. With deep experience in the government, Permuta understands the challenges agencies face to protect and meet mission-critical initiatives. As a trusted leader in delivering solutions built and designed for government, Permuta is committed to increasing effectiveness and readiness so agencies can confidently execute their mission. Their products, built on Microsoft technology are the only solutions in the market that cover all federal readiness management needs in one system, including force readiness, training, performance and asset management, medical readiness, mission planning and more.

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