IfG.CC -
Institute for eGovernment

The auditor general has lifted the lid on a warning made to government some three years ago that it was facing serious risks to its security due to a catalogue problems. One of a number of reports the auditor managed to complete and pass on to legislators ahead of his departure, Alastair Swarbrick’s latest report on the risks to governments IT reveals that problems identified in 2012 have not been addressed and the situation is even worse. Government is not doing enough to protect its systems and information from the risks and threats of cyber-attack, he said.

Following up on the 2012 audit this year on the poor state of IT security, Swarbrick said, “Progress has been too slow in addressing the concerns raised some three years ago and the opportunity for significant damage to government operations and its reputation should mean that significantly more action is needed.”

Across the region, e-government programs have flourished in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Figures from Datamonitor predict that, as authorities in the Middle East turn to e-government solutions, security spending to protect them will also increase.

Goode Intelligence forecasts that for North America, mobile phone-based authentication products and services will generate just over $48 million in 2010 and that the market will grow to $142 million in revenue by 2014; an increase of $94 million and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24 percent.

Anyone who has ever shopped online, used internet banking or simply used social networking websites may have noticed a little padlock icon next to the site's URL, or the https:// prefix highlighting that the website is secure. But not all secure websites offer the same protection.

What the 'https' implies is that the http protocol - the foundation for data communication over the internet - is layered over a secure protocol: traditionally the secure sockets layer (SSL), but this has since been superseded by the transport layer security (TLS) protocol.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) requires at least 20,000 CCTV cameras installed throughout the capital to monitor crime and traffic congestion.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said at present, there are only 5,000 units around the city.

He said the installation cannot be undertaken solely by DBKL but requires the cooperation of various ministries, departments and agencies, especially the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).

Number part of 1,500 AI-enabled cameras under Johor Safe initiative, says exco member

Installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras that utilise artificial intelligence (AI) are part of efforts to bring a unified smart infrastructure across Greater Johor Baru, says a state exco member.

Johor housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said 995 of 1,500 such CCTV cameras are already in operation in key areas around Greater Johor Baru, with the rest to be installed within the next two years as part of the Johor Safe initiative.

Imagine a city brimming with the latest gadgets and innovations. Yet, amidst the technological utopia, a lag in emergency response times and surveillance systems are prone to malfunction would leave crime to fester.

In such a city, the allure of smart tech fades into insignificance when basic safety needs are not met. As NEC Malaysia’s General Manager and Head of Business Units, CP Chan, puts it, "Would you invest in or live in a place where you feel constantly at risk?"

Curbing Copper Theft and Telecommunications Infrastructure Sabotage – Telecom Namibia engages City of Windhoek and City Police to Collaborate on Smart Policing

Telecom Namibia CEO Dr. Stanley Shanapinda and management paid a courtesy visit to the City of Windhoek and City Police to discuss areas of collaboration aimed at enhancing safety and security, and the protection of telecommunications infrastructure in the City.

NDC is designed to provide a multi-tenant high availability data centre for all ministries to host their data as well as disaster recovery solution, with the objective of achieving improved business continuity for their IT systems.

The Lagos State Government has disclosed intentions to deploy an additional 10,000 high-definition closed-circuit television across the state as part of the comprehensive Smart City Programme designed to provide a 24-hour security-driven economy.

This was made known by the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Hakeem Fahm, while speaking at the annual Ministerial Press Briefing to mark the third anniversary of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration.

Put together by Teledom Group of Companies and its event management partner, Gamnet Solutions, the one-day summit on ICT intervention in national security emergency, pulled the military, police, customs, immigration, prisons and ICT experts to brainstorm on modern ICT tools that will enhance their day-to-day operations in the course of discharging their duties.

The Oman National Computer Emergency Readiness Team (OCERT) will provide accurate and timely information on current and emerging security and vulnerabilities, key officials of the Information Technology Authority (ITA) said.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by Mohammed bin Nasser al Khusaibi, Secretary General of the National Economy Ministry and Chairman of ITA, Dr. Salim bin Sultan al Ruzaiki, CEO of ITA, members of the board, officials of the Government's institutions and the private establishments.

The meeting, presided over by Mohammed bin Nasser Al Khusaibi, the ITA Chairman, also approved proposals to establish a ‘Contact Centre’ and prepare an Oman eGovernment Architecture Framework (OeGAF) to serve as a guide to the development, deployment and operations of information systems at government offices.

Bei der Eröffnung des zweitägigen Internet-Kongresses Domain pulse, der heuer in Wien tagt, haben Bundeskanzler Alfred Gusenbauer und die für E-Government zuständige Staatssekretärin Heidrun Silhavy ein klares Bekenntnis zur Stärkung der Sicherheit im Internet abgelegt. Konkret soll noch vor der EURO ein CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team) zum Schutz der Internet – Infrastruktur eingerichtet werden.