Secure Identity Alliance Welcomes Emirates ID Authority

Paris, 14th November 2013: The Secure Identity Alliance has announced that the Emirates ID Authority (EIDA) – represented by His Excellency Dr. Eng. Ali Mohamed Al Khouri, EIDA’s Director General – is joining the organization in the role of Advisory Observer.

The Emirates ID Authority is the first Government entity to join the Alliance.
The United Arab Emirates is one of the most forward thinking eGovernents and, as such, EIDA’s decision to join the Alliance is particularly significant.
The announcement comes as the Alliance is preparing to embark on an ambitious project – mapping eServices and eDocuments across the world and analyze best practices and security awareness, an undertaking the Advisory Observers will play a fundamental role in.
The Secure Identity Alliance is the only global forum dedicated to helping public bodies across the world deliver eGovernment services to citizens through the widespread adoption of secure and convenient eDocument technologies.
The development of digital networks and technologies has enabled Governments to offer a host of new e-Government services to address a range of fiscal, security and citizen engagement objectives. As technologies evolve, so opportunities will emerge to further increase the adoption, value and effectiveness of such services, while addressing critical issues of data security, citizen privacy and identity.
The Alliance encourages the technology industry to act in a consistent manner to raise awareness of, and to promote, identity management and digital trust in eGovernment products and services. The Advisory Observers will come from the public sector mainly and are invited to join the Secure Identity Alliance. Their role is to offer advice and guidance on the Alliance’s activities and ensure they maintain a ‘best practice’ ethos.
Dr Al Khouri said: “Choosing Emirates ID as a member in the Secure Identity Alliance reflects UAE’s distinguished experience at the global level in developing an advanced integrated ID management system to enhance national and individual security of citizens and residents”. It reveals the importance of the Emirates ID card project as a global reference and a pioneering experience that can contribute in enhancing international security”.
Dr. Al Khouri also highlighted “The importance of promoting awareness programs to address challenges related to data privacy, identity theft and fraud through cyberspace, stressing Emirates ID’s keenness to set up a range of procedures and measures to help strengthen the control and reliability of data collection and management. Emirates ID is also keen to cooperate with the international community to benefit from international successful experiences and best practices in this respect.”
Frédéric Trojani, Chairman of the Board of the Secure Identity Alliance, welcomed EIDA, – represented by His Excellency Dr. Eng. Ali Mohamed Al Khouri, EIDA’s Director General and said: “The shift to digital service provision requires the industry to have a forum where collective actions can be designed and implemented to address areas of common interest, to the benefit of Governments and the public. The Alliance welcomes the input of public bodies in its discussions, and to this end a special status of Advisory Observer has been created.”
“We are delighted to be joined by EIDA and look forward to Dr. Al Khouri’s contribution and insight.”
- Ends –
Dr. Eng. Ali Mohamed Al Khouri is to speak at CARTES 2013 during the “Government Mega Trends” Conference chaired by the Alliance on Wednesday 20th November at 2pm for a panel session on eGovenment Challenges followed by a presentation on ‘Mobility and Secure ID with reference to National ID Programs’.