Sharjah Ruler Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi Issues Law For Digital Department Regulation

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has enacted a law to regulate the Sharjah Digital Department (SDD). The department's main office will be in Sharjah city, with potential branches elsewhere in the emirate as decided by the Ruler.

The SDD aims to enhance Sharjah's status as a smart digital city, boosting its leadership and competitiveness locally and internationally. It seeks to raise awareness among government bodies about digital transformation's importance, promoting transparency and governance to improve stakeholder satisfaction.

The department is tasked with supporting comprehensive development by providing shared digital systems and facilitating information exchange among government entities. It also aims to create a secure environment for protecting information, considering it strategically vital for the emirate.

To achieve its objectives, the SDD is empowered with several competencies. These include developing strategies related to digital transformation and information security, coordinating efforts between governmental and private sectors, and supervising the emirate's digital transformation system.

The department oversees digital services provided by government entities, ensuring technical oversight of their departments. It evaluates and standardises IT systems in coordination with relevant parties and develops contact centres for public inquiries about government services.

Additionally, it coordinates with government entities to establish integrated digital service centres. The SDD also develops standards that government entities must follow, ensuring compliance through supervision.

Information Security Responsibilities

The SDD is responsible for implementing an information security management framework across all government entities. This includes setting technical standards and monitoring compliance with these frameworks. The department also takes preventive measures against breaches and contributes to risk response plans.

It establishes task forces within the department to address cyberattack incidents, ensuring infrastructure protection and continuity of services. These efforts help mitigate impacts from breaches in infrastructure or information systems.

Data Management Duties

The SDD designs platforms for data governance in line with approved policies. It develops data governance standards, ensures privacy, audits compliance, and coordinates efforts to create a unified guide for government data sharing.

Furthermore, it defines requirements for publishing open data on platforms or portals while coordinating federal and local level data sharing efforts. This involves setting procedures for data availability.

Infrastructure Development

The department establishes digital infrastructure like platforms, data centres, cloud services, and communication networks at the government level. It supervises their implementation according to established standards while reviewing existing networks for unification.

Technical specifications for equipment are prepared in collaboration with the Central Finance Department. This ensures periodic updates align with digital transformation goals.

Digital Empowerment Initiatives

The SDD coordinates training courses for government employees focusing on IT security and emerging technologies. It conducts research on digital transformation topics while providing consultations to government entities in Sharjah.

A Director-General appointed by Emiri Decree leads the department supported by adequate staff under an approved structure. The Director-General manages affairs including policy development, operations oversight according to laws, budget management, contract signing authority among other responsibilities assigned by the Ruler or council.

The law outlines financial resources provisions along with organisational structure details such as fee exemptions safeguarding clauses final provisions cancellations enforcement mechanisms ensuring effective functioning of SDD within Sharjah's governance framework.

With inputs from WAM