"Bahrain has developed one of the world's most comprehensive e-government systems," he told a Press conference after the signing ceremony at the Gulf International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gulf Hotel.
"Our leaders' forward thinking and vision will make a range of essential government services available to citizens online, when the infrastructure is fully created and protected.
"The information stored in our computers and the online services we offer need to be available all the time."
Shaikh Ahmed said the deal with Trend Micro would help protect the government's online processes and data against virus attack.
More than 8,000 employees use the government's computer network.
CIO is setting the perfect example to the region's business community about the importance of virus protection, said Mr Doo.
A single infiltration can bring an entire network to a standstill and enterprise-level organisations just cannot afford to run without a comprehensive virus protection solution, he added.
"A Trend Micro team will implement the software in a series of phases, which will protect the information that the government stores, sends or receives," said Mr Doo.
"The first phase will start very soon, We shall also provide on-site consultancy and training to certification level for selected CIO staff and other government employees."
Security and virus protection are issues confronting all governments in the GCC, said Mr Doo.
Trend Micro, established in 1988 with Tokyo as headquarters, has currently offices in 23 countries.
Its Middle East regional office is based in Dubai.
Mr Doo made a presentation earlier at the e-government transformation conference hosted by CIO at the Ritz Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa.
He talked about the trends in the spread of viruses, Trojans (disguised but harmful viruses) and worms (programmes that can make copies of themselves and spread through connected systems, using up resources or causing other damage).
Quelle: Gulf Daily News, 29.04.2004
