- Newly formed alliance allows Dubai eGovernment to receive consultancy services in the field of electronic security and offer enhanced eServices
Dubai eGovernment has signed today (October 21, 2009) a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UAE Computer Emergency Response Team (aeCERT), the country’s cyber-security coordination center and part of the UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), at GITEX Technology Week 2009, which is being held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center (DICE) till October 22, 2009. The newly forged strategic partnership will allow the aeCERT to render expert consultancy services to Dubai eGovernment in the field of electronic security and assist in providing enhanced eServices to the public.
The agreement was signed by Ahmed Mohammed Bin Humaidan, Director General Dubai eGovernment and Mohamed Naser Al Ghanim, TRA Director General, representing aeCERT.
Under the terms of the agreement, Dubai eGovernment will be joining the efforts of the aeCERT team in facilitating the detection, prevention and response of cyber security incidents on the internet. In return, Dubai eGovernment will be able to receive expert advice from aeCERT specialists on the different aspects of electronic security like guidance, education, awareness, monitoring, responding, research and analysis.
The signing of this agreement is in line with Dubai eGovernment’s efforts to provide eServices in accordance with the highest international standards of security. As per the terms of the agreement, both parties will work together to increase awareness about eServices among different sections of the society by promoting the safety and convenience of electronic services.
Ahmed Mohammed Bin Humaidan, Director General, Dubai eGovernment, said, “Today’s signing marks a significant step towards Dubai eGovernment’s commitment to provide world-class eServices to a large section of individuals, government departments and organisations. Electronic infrastructure and data security are important standards needed to maintain efficient services and operations for an entity such as Dubai eGovernment. Our partnership with aeCERT allows us to implement data security policies that aim to benefit our users immensely. The presence of a sound and secure data security system represents the backbone of all systems being used today, as well as those that will be utilised in the future.”
“Moreover, Dubai eGovernment continues to remain steadfast in its commitment to provide different eServices that are in accordance with the world’s best practices in the field of data security, such as government resource planning system, government information network, and email services,” he added.
Mohamed Naser Al Ghanim, Director General, TRA, said, “The UAE Computer Emergency Response Team operates with the objective of raising awareness about electronic and data security. We have established a team of experts in the field of data security that can address emergencies and detect dubious internet activity. The team has also set up a call center, which users can call to report IT related violations and also acts as a centralised station that will collect information about threats, dangers, and crimes related to IT. The team encourages forming and helping computer emergency response teams among different sectors, coordinating with local and international teams to respond to emergencies of this nature. We work within a strategic plan that aims to teach individuals and groups on how to protect information from unscrupulous elements on the internet or any online network. The plan guides users towards a secure information culture within the UAE. The team is totally committed in making the internet safe and secure for users in the UAE.”
Dubai eGovernment’s participation at GITEX Technology Week 2009 included a presentation on its aims and objectives, with an emphasis on its restructured centralized portal, Dubai.ae, its government resource planning system and its collaboration with 27 government and semi-government entities. The presentation also highlighted Dubai eGovernment’s other services like ePay, Ask Dubai and eLearn. To give visitors a clearer understanding of its services, a network of workstations was also set up with demonstration models of each electronic service offered.
Dubai eGovernment’s comprehensive web portal (
www.dubai.ae) allows citizens, residents, visitors and businesses to access more than 2,000 electronic services, such as payment of municipality fees, visa applications for relatives, health card renewal, company registration, and payments for Roads and Transport Authority fines.
