eGovernment solutions provider CrimsonLogic is developing a National Authentication Framework (NAF) that will provide the Kingdom of Bahrain with a strong nationwide authentication platform to manage and safeguard customer identities across multiple service delivery channels and across various ministries. Commissioned by the Bahrain eGovernment Authority (eGA), the establishment of the NAF will be the first of its kind in the Middle East.

The partnership was formalised at a contract signing ceremony on 7 January 2011, which was officiated by His Excellency (H.E.) Sheikh Ahmed Bin Atteyatalla Al Khalifa, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Minister Responsible for the Telecommunications Sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

H.E. Shaikh Ahmed Bin Atteyatallah Al Khalifa (left) and Mr Leong Peng Kiong at the signing ceremony for the National Authentication Framework project.

“Bahrain is committed to eGovernment development and is focused on the delivery of integrated government services, made available to citizens through their channel of choice,” said H.E. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Atteyatalla Al Khalifa. The Kingdom topped the Gulf region in the United Nations e-Government Survey 2010 for its application of Information and Communications Technology in enabling citizen access and inclusion, and is aiming to have more than 90 per cent of its key services available online. 

Authentication is critical in the use of these online services, especially in sectors such as government, banking and finance, and healthcare. With the NAF in place, users will be able to enjoy the convenience of using a single electronic identity to access an array of government services while being assured of security against online identity theft.

Bahrain will be employing two-factor authentication (2FA) which utilises two out of three recognised factors  –  a password or personal identification number (PIN), a hardware security token, or a biometric trait such as a fingerprint – to verify the identity of individuals and provide protection against unauthorised access to
sensitive information.

“The project will help reduce the operating expenses of government administration by connecting all the agencies’ services, enabling users to access them through a single electronic source," said Mr Mohammed Ali Al Qaed, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of eGA.

CrimsonLogic is responsible for the end-to-end development and implementation of the NAF. It will be creating the core functionality of the system such as user registration, multiple authentication mechanisms and integration with service and delivery channels while the Bahrain government retains full application control. The turnkey solution will also incorporate system design, development, customisation, supply and installation of infrastructure as well as the management of operations.

CrimsonLogic has opened an office in Bahrain to provide post-implementation support in the operational phase, such as assistance in training and change management issues. Said Mr Leong Peng Kiong, CEO of CrimsonLogic, “Our new office in Bahrain providing constant on-the-ground support will continue to undertake the full spectrum of customer service even after implementation.”