As e-gov booms, security is essential

Governments around  the  world  adopt  e-government  strategies to offer citizens an increased portfolio of public services. The implementation of e-government has significant benefits: procedures are simplified, paperwork is reduced, services are accessible outside business hours; all resulting in a cheaper, more efficient and convenient delivery of information and services.

At the same time, privacy and data concerns have soared. Citizens need to confide in the fact that data and credentials are protected and can be exchanged in a secure environment.

Governments need to ensure that critical data and applications related to national security, public services, taxation and revenue, healthcare  etc.  are adequately secured. They should  be vigilant to take essential security measures to address these challenges. Additionally, government applications and data need to adhere to compliancy rules set in international standards for secure online access to government systems and bodies.