He said the latest e-security measure taken was the signing of a major deal with Trend Micro, one of the world's leading Internet-security providers to protect the e-government network from virus attacks. "Bahrain has developed one of the world's most comprehensive e-government systems which will carry pit a range of essential government services available to citizens on line when the infrastructure is fully created and protected," Shaikh Ahmed said. "Now that we're nearing a point in our e-government processes in which there'll be stepped-up public interaction, protecting the system has become a major priority for CIO.
"The deal with Trend Micro helps protect our online processes and data against virus threats."
The agreement was formalised at a signing ceremony on the sidelines of a GCC e-security workshop yesterday at Gulf Hotel between Shaikh Ahmed and Trend Micro managing director for the Middle East and Africa Justin Doo.
"Bahrain's CIO is setting the perfect example to the region's business community about the importance of virus protection. Enterprise-level organisations just can't afford to run without a comprehensive virus-protection solution since a single infiltration can bring an entire network to a standstill.
"It's especially serious given that every day we see at least five new viruses attacking networks worldwide." The state-of-the art security software offered by Trend Micro will allow CIO to monitor its entire network round the clock for viruses and instantaneously update hundreds of platforms, servers and workstation personal computers whenever a virus is detected.
Over 10,000 users will be protected by the system, not only in their offices but also through a deal between CIO and Trend Micro that will see government employees getting the virus-protection software at a nominal cost of $5 as opposed to the retail price of $50.
"We've extended our protection through a comprehensive package that'll offer software to government employees for a nominal cost largely because many officials do carry government work to their home PC and back, and we don't want viruses to attack the CIO network through this route," explained Shaikh Ahmed. "The first phase of the multi-phase project commences at once.
"Trend Micro will also provide onsite consultancy and training to certification level for selected CIO staff and government employees. CIO "developer units" will play an important role in future improvements by passing Trend Micro's "beta" groups' feedback on software performance under real-life operating conditions.
Quelle: MENAFN, 29.04.2004
