with the standards it set is the only
entity that tests it. For instance, Ap-
ple store sets conditions that might
not consider the mGovernment stan-
dards . If the app meets its standards,
it allows it to be on the app store and
accessible to everyone.
Did you take any measures to ad�
dress this matter?
Yes, we are currently working on
building a laboratory for smart gov-
ernment applications to be respon-
sible for setting the criteria applica-
tions need to meet. It will also be in
charge of giving authentication and
assessments.
We understand from what you
said that the government will also
launch its own e-store?
Yes, we are working on creating a
store for the smart government of-
fering its relevant apps. There is no
doubt that such a store will give more
credibility and reliability to the apps
which will undergo a strict assess-
ment process to ensure they comply
with standards, particularly privacy,
security and safety in the authentica-
tion and assessment labs.
What are the authentication and
assessment labs?
These are labs responsible for au-
thentication and assessment of smart
government applications.
Can you tell us about this technol�
ogy in more detail?
NFC is a modern technology. It cre-
ates a wireless communication be-
tween electronic devices by touching
each other or placing them within few
centimeters of each other’s proxim-
ity. Through a simple touch, you can
conduct the operations you usually
complete through your plastic card
but here you are using an electronic
device such as a smart phone.
This technology is much similar to its
wireless counterparts such as Blue-
tooth and WiFi but it has the shortest,
fastest and safest coverage range.
This technology will help users in
dispensing with their personal portfo-
lio and use NFC instead as a virtual
portfolio.
NFC is attached to the SIM card of
smart devices. This technology al-
lows, for instance, payment of bank
transactions, payment of hotel reser-
vations, and sharing data with friends
while moving. When you place your
phone above your friend’s phone, for
instance, you will be able to share a
website link or files. When you move
your device over a smart advertise-
ment label or a screen with NFC
sign, you will also be able to share
the information found on the label or
screen.
This technology is simple to use,
which is very important, as users
usually shun away from technology
with potential complexity. Simplicity
and ease of use particularly with re-
gard to security matters are targeted
by major companies such as Apple
which added the fingerprint feature
to its new iPhone making it easier
for users and increasing security and
safety.
What about the National Trusted
Service Manager (NTSM)?
It is a trusted national service man-
agement system through the estab-
lishment of a central system to man-
age all smart applications. You will
be able to use your mobile phone
to conduct all financial transactions
such as purchases, transfers, etc.
through a safe national central sys-
tem. We formed a confederation
including all concerned agencies in-
cluding the Central Bank, Ministry of
Finance, Ministry of Justice, du and
Etisalat telecommunication compa-
nies and other concerned business-
es. We will start actual work on the
system during this month and it will
take six months or more to be ready
for trial launch. It is worth mentioning
that the UAE ranks first in the region
in NTSM application.
We have programmers
exclusively specialized
in breach detection
Interview
