The Survey and Land Registration Bureau (SLRB) has signed an agreement with Ernst & Young to advise on the establishment and implementation of an information security management system.

Director-general of resources and information systems Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa said the proposed project was an important part of the bureau's drive to improve IT services and information security.'IT is a key driver to the delivery of our services to the citizens with the bureau increasingly adopting leading edge technologies, consequently, securing the information stored on our IT systems.

'This initiative will ensure that SLRB delivers on its commitment to the people of Bahrain.' The main objective of the project was to assist the SLRB in establishing an ISMS framework, Ernst & Young's Bahrain office advisory partner Srikant Ranganathan said.

'This is the first step in a series of initiatives aimed at improving information security, which should enable the SLRB to establish an integrated framework, allowing them to assess information and related technology risks.'

An important outcome of the project, besides improved security, confidentiality, accuracy and integrity of information, would be the award of the ISO/IEC 27001:2005 standard to the SLRB's IT department, Ranganathan added.

Shaikh Mohammed said that the project included performing a current state assessment of the bureau's information security practice.

'While doing this, Ernst & Young will advise us on the design of integrated frameworks and the development of the required documentation and assist us with the initial operation of the framework. The bureau will then be in a position to obtain the certification after an audit by the certification body.'

SLRB is being proactive in seeking external verification of is processes. 'By doing this, the bureau will increase public confidence in its capabilities.

'It will also be able to leverage off Ernst & Young's experience with worldwide clients and benchmark us against leading practice on a regional and global basis,' Shaikh Mohammed added.-TradeArabia News Service