In light of the increasing cyber threats on government websites and phishing activities, the Ministry of Education has intensified the protection of its information systems and official websites to ward off hackers.
The Ministry’s Information Systems Department formed a working team to inspect security systems, follow up on changes, and requirements for the security and confidentiality of information. The team is headed by the Head of the Networks Department, Eng. Muhammad Al-Ali, with members consisting of 10 engineers.
Sources told an Arab daily that the team’s tasks include assessing the security and confidentiality of information and files of all automated systems, networks, communication systems, and main servers, including the main page of the Ministry of Education’s website, in addition to conducting a periodic monitoring of the Ministry of Education’s network, as well as setting appropriate procedures for authorized login from inside and outside the ministry’s network and main servers.
The team is also specialized in developing a plan for technical procedures and special regulations to ensure the security and protection of information within the network from any cyber-terrorism, the use of advanced monitoring and warning systems, and coordination with the specialized monitors regarding the required process to provide security for the Ministry of Education network and related channels.
The team will also submit a periodic report to the Director of Information Systems Department, in addition to educating the employee on network risks and the positive use of technology and the internet. The team is also required to study the needs of the concerned monitors for information security solutions, as well as follow up on information security-related incidents.
The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education, Dr. Ali Al-Yaqoub, issued a decision that the team leader should be in-charge with submitting periodic reports of the accomplished work, in addition to the attendance sheet and financial dues for each member based on their attendance and participation in the work. The final results will be presented to the technical committee to study the formation of work teams and committees at the Ministry of Education.
The Director of the Information Systems Department on assignment, Saud Al-Juwaiser, had submitted a proposal to Al-Yaqoub who formed the cyber security team.
On the other hand, Al-Yaqoub issued a general bulletin regarding updating the data of the contractors who occupy the post of “non-Kuwaiti service port assistant”, as part of the procedures of the Administrative Affairs and Administrative Development Sector by making a periodic update of the information of all contractors in the ministry. The Education Ministry called on all non-Kuwaitis contracting for the position of assistant service executor to update their information, through a personal review at the Ministry of Education building in South Surra.
The Ministry of Education also indicated that receiving all contractors from service providers to update their data continues on Monday, from 3:30 to 6:30, and contractors are required to bring a copy of their civil ID. Those who are outside Kuwait on periodic leave can scan the barcode shown in the bulletin and complete the update of the data, recording the date of the start and end of the leave, in addition to reviewing the ministry upon returning from leave to confirm the update of the data. Al-Yaqoub stressed that all administrative and legal measures will be taken against whoever fails to update their data on the specified dates.