The UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) said it has signed an agreement with ICDL Arabia for a three-year-term, with the aim of co-operating in the areas of building and developing the necessary skills and awareness of government officials and community segments with regards to digital security and online safety.

ICDL Arabia is the governing body and certification authority for the ICDL (International Computer Driving Licence) certificate program in GCC states, Egypt and Iraq.

As per the agreement, the two parties will work to spread the IT skills and competencies of government employees as ordinary users, to enable them to effectively use the IT in office work, remarked Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, the director general at TRA, after sigbning the deal with Jamil Ezzo, the director general of ICDL Arabia.

The two parties will also raise awareness on digital security and online safety among government cadres and different segments of society, he stated.

They will aim at enhancing the optimal, safe and secure use of modern technological elements, social media channels and smart devices among the mentioned categories in the UAE, remarked Al Mansoori.

According to him, this agreement is part of a series of previous steps launched by TRA, to raise awareness on the importance of data safety and security, and how to best use the internet.

"This step is part of the support of the government smart transformation projects in the UAE, and in line with the unlimited openness of the use of the internet and social media platforms by members of the UAE community, without limits, there must be effective guidance in addressing the expected risks," he noted.
 
Al Mansoori stressed on the importance of strengthening the relationship with private sector as a key partner in enhancing the UAE’s leading economic position at the regional and international levels.
 
Ezzo lauded the efforts of TRA in the area of digital safety awareness.

"We are confident that this strategic partnership will ensure that teachers, parents and guardians will have the necessary skills to create more cyber safety awareness and caution among our younger generation. We look forward to the challenges ahead and we call on all concerned entities and individuals to do their part in spreading the word on the subject," he added.-TradeArabia News Service