Sharjah reveals plan to boost cyber security

Sharjah / Emirates Business

The Government of Sharjah, Department of eGovernment (DeG), the emirate’s principal body responsible for transforming Sharjah into one of the digitally advanced cities in the region, has announced the commencement of a comprehensive plan to comply with the National Electronic Security Authority (NESA) standards. The move, which involves ensuring compliance with NESA standards across all Sharjah government entities, is in alignment with DeG’s strategy to maximise cyber security and information authenticity in the emirate.
NESA is a federal authority established through Federal Decree No. 3 of 2012. It aims to promote the cyber security of the UAE through protecting communications network and information systems in the state. It also aims to develop, modify and apply the necessary means to enhance cyber security and raise the efficiency of methods to protect communications network and information systems for all government entities in the UAE.
“The Department of eGovernment was chosen by the Executive Council in the emirate of Sharjah to regulate the implementation of this national policy, as well as chosen to ensure that information security and protection of communication mediums meet the required standards set by NESA. DeG has always been committed to providing Sharjah’s public sectors with premium infrastructures and interfaces that provide a systematic flow of information as well as its security.” said H.E. Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Director-General of DeG.
The first phase of the implementation commenced with DeG holding meetings and workshops with more than 50 government entities in Sharjah, and conducted multiple training sessions to inform them on Sharjah Government’s adoption of NESA’s standards. DeG also highlighted NESA’s wider policy which generally involves enhancing the protection of national information and communications infrastructure.
DeG discussed multiple post-implementation processes that government entities can follow in order to comply with the standards, and follow efficient methods of information storage and circulation, thereby ensuring its safety at all times.
“We utilised these meetings in order to familiarise our clients with procedures and policies of NESA, as well as highlight multiple aspects of its functions and interfaces to ensure that all government entities in Sharjah adhere to the highest standards of protecting confidentiality. It’s also key that protection of the integrity and availability of information, will elevate levels of authenticity in the information issued by these entities, as well as protect their sources at all times,” he added.
“Implementing the UAE Information Assurance Standards also helps us to move from the partnership phase to the integration phase in government vocation, which aligns with the vision and directives of our wise leadership.” he added.
The Director-General of DeG pointed out that: “In the context of meeting the current and future needs of the public and private sectors, as well as the individual requirements of citizens in Sharjah, DeG has followed a thorough and carefully considered approach in order to strike a balance between change and innovation in its task to provide the highest levels of protection of information in the emirate. We continuously strive to perfect the level of our services and hope to meet the aspirations of the emirate by achieving excellence in all fields, thereby attaining the highest levels of satisfaction.”