RIYADH — The National Data Center of the Interior Ministry is making preparations to issue multipurpose identity cards for Saudi citizens, said Mohammed Al-Aseeri, spokesman of the center. The ID cards will have data relating to driving license, passport as well as family and health records. Al-Aseeri said the center will take measures to protect the secrecy and privacy of card holders. "No agency can get information other than what is related to its service," he insisted. For example, the Traffic Department will be able to see only the information related to the card holder's vehicle registration and will not see information related to passport or family record. Referring to health records, he said the Health Ministry is working to develop the system. "Once that work is completed it will be added to the comprehensive identity card," he said, adding that the center is well-prepared to activate the new card for the benefit of citizens and government agencies. Speaking to Okaz/Saudi Gazette, Al-Aseeri also disclosed plans to issue travel permission for the staff of all military sectors within the next few months and set up a backup system to avoid the malfunction of the travel permission system of the Passport Department at border points. He said the new system is almost ready. "Technical work has been completed and the system is now under experimental operation. Once the system is finalized it would be applied by the Passport Department. After making necessary corrections in light of observations it would be implemented on all military sectors," the spokesman said, adding that it follows a mechanism similar to issuing travel permission to family members. "Once the system is fully operational, administrative offices of all military sectors will be able to issue travel permissions only through this electronic system. No paper work will be accepted." The Passport Department will get a warning if a military officer is traveling without permission. Al-Aseeri explained the measures taken by the data center to fight hackers. "We have taken all security measures to protect its database including interior networks and websites. We have established cooperation with the National Center for Electronic Security for this purpose. Moreover, we have taken necessary security measures to prevent hacking and e-attack." Speaking about the number of such attacks suffered by the center, he said: "It's quite natural that there would be attempts to attack such a vital information center. It is not wise to mention the number or quality of such attacks because it would encourage hackers to try new methods." There are two types of attacks, he said. First, to get information from the center and attempts in this respect have failed because all information is fully protected. The second type aims at preventing electronic services. We have been successful in confronting such attempts. Al-Aseeri also spoke about the department's efforts to resolve malfunctioning of the travel permission system at exit points including airports and seaports by establishing a backup system. "We are working to find a drastic solution to this problem in coordination with other government agencies to avoid any travel delay. The new measure will avoid sudden malfunctioning of the system for different reasons including power cut or malfunctioning of the telecom system or cutting of cables by contracting companies."
