Y-Net News reports that the Social-Economic Cabinet approved Sunday a plan put forth by Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to expand Israel’s E-government initiative (“Approachable Government”program). The government also approved the “safe deposit box” program, a system of secure e-mail boxes that would allow government offices to send official permits, signed forms, receipts and messages to businesses and individuals.
Eventually, the intention is to supply a secure, personal e-mail inbox to each citizen, in order to facilitate communication with government officialdom.
Finance Ministry officials explain the system will be built so that information will be “pushed” into e-mail boxes by government offices, and users will request official information (using official on-line forms) and will receive the information in their in-boxes.
Safe-deposit boxes
At first, the system will support forms in text format (TXT, PDF, RTF, HTML, XML), the last two without Active Script.
The “safe” will require the recipient to send a “proof of receipt” to the sender. Each sent message will be coded to identify the sender, to allow the recipient to forward the message to a third party, and an expiry date.
The safe will also allow for electronic signatures for most, but not all, forms.
Smart card for everyone
In order to use the system individuals and businesses will be required to obtain a smart card, a card reader (estimated cost: NIS 55 or about $12), and to register an electronic signature (approximately NIS 20 or about $4.5).
Members will enjoy free technical support by telephone, and the service will not be obligatory. Government offices will continue to receive inquiries and provide services in person and by phone.
Finance Ministry officials say the project will allow government offices to better serve the public, shorten the bureaucratic process, and allow the public quick, secure access to information.
Autor: Gal Mor
Quelle: Globes Online, 18.04.2005
