Support to Digital Services

Digital Identity

Saudi Citizens Identity Card
All citizens and residents in Saudi Arabia aged 15 and over, must have a valid National Identity Card (ID). The ID card contains biometric and digital information such as an image of face, fingerprints, and demographics. To enhance security and prevent identity theft, the ID card contains a bar code plus an optical stripe.It also offers a digital signature through a secure application enabled by the holder of an ID card. 

ID cards are used to confirm the holder’s identity with government agencies and third-party service providers such as banks and telecom operators. In fact, ID cards can be used as a travel document to any of the GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates). In addition, it can be used securely to store and digitalize ID documents including your national ID, residency permit (iqama), driving license and holder’s vehicle’s registration (istimara) through the ‘Absher individuals’ application. The Digital ID is a valid proof of identity at various government institutions and third parties without the need to carry the physical ID documents.
 
Digital ID for Online Services in Saudi Arabia
All Saudi citizens or legal residents in Saudi Arabia can create their digital identity (or electronic ID) by registering on the National Single Sign-On system developed by the National Information Center and the Ministry of Interior. Holders of Digital ID can use it for accessing more than 700 government online services available on my.gov.sa, other government portals, and services provided by third parties such as banks, telecom operators, etc. Details are well defined on the National Information Center.

Digital Signature

National Center for Digital Signature
The National Center for Digital Certification was established in accordance with the decision of the Standing Committee for E-Commerce on 10/1/1422 AH, which assigned the task of establishing and operating the structure of public keys , as mandated through the royal approval dated 17/5/1422 AH, according to the Royal Order No. 9378.
The role of the National Center for Digital Certification aims provide an integrated system for managing the infrastructure of public keys on which all e-business is based, such as e-commerce and e-government. The system enables internet traders of all categories, including government, citizens or business, to conduct various e-operations confidentially and consistently with complete safety. 
 
Digital Certification Systems and Regulations
The Council of Ministers approved, on Monday Rabi Al Awal 7, 1428 AH , the e-transactions system. The system aims to manage and organize e-transactions and e-signatures while providing the legal framework for them. A person may set additional conditions for their own transactions, related to accepting e-transactions and signatures, ensuring that no conflict arises linked to the provisions of the system. The e-transactions, records, and signatures will contain their mandatory authority, and their validity or enforceability may not be denied, nor shall their implementation be prevented due to being wholly or partially carried out electronically, provided that this is done in accordance with the conditions specified in the system.

The system is permitted to offer and accept contracts through e-transactions and the contract is considered valid and enforceable whenever it is complete in accordance with the requirements of the system.
The issuance of the system represents a major development in the legislative structure of the e-transactions system and the regulations and control of e-transactions and signatures. The system provides authenticity and validation of e-documents, if they  meet the conditions and specifications required by law, and consequently considered as original hardcopy document in terms of the order effects and the acceptance of authority in evidence and additional matters in regard to accept these transactions formally. The e-transaction system includes all e-transactions.
Digital Certification Policies: Many Policies supported the digital certification in KSA, such as Saudi National PKI policy and NCDC Cross Certification Policy , other digital certification policies are listed here.
 
Digital Certification Services:
 
Certification Centers
The National Center for Digital Certification is specialized in operating and managing the Saudi Root Certification Center and is affiliated with the Government Certification Center of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and is managed by the Shared Services Center at the National Center for Digital Certification.
You can access more information by clicking on this link.

Root Center
The National Center for Digital Certification operates and manages the Saudi Root Certification Center. The Root Center is officially the accreditation party on matters of the public key infrastructure in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Additionally, this self-certified center is well acknowledged for providing a high degree of data protection and security as it operates in a high -security private environment.
You can access more information by clicking on this link.

Government Certification
The General Certificate of the Government Certification is approved by the Saudi Root Certification Center, and is to issue digital certificates to government employees, including to approve devices and domains owned by government agencies through government certification service providers at government agencies.
You can access more information by clicking on this link.

Ready Service (Jahiz)
Through this program, NCDC enlists approved storage tokens and Smart Cards for digital certificates where the center in collaboration with the manufacturers of these tokens and Smart Cards work on performing the necessary tests and verify whether they meet the requirements of NCDC. The purpose of such qualification is to be selective in the usage of hardware in the Saudi PKI from a security viewpoint. NCDC may conduct appropriate testing to ensure that the hardware / software used in the Saudi PKI meets proper security requirements and helps mitigate risks associated with the usage of such devices/applications. You can access more information by clicking on this link.

Rabit Service
Through this service, government agencies are linked with the NCDC, The service enables the administration at agencies to issue and manage all of their digital certificates and thus take advantage of all of the features offered by digital certificate such as secure email, strong authentication, and signing and encrypting data, files and documents. Any government entity may issue digital certificates for the use of its employees, decision makers, suppliers, or systems integrated with the government entity or any entity that has the right to access, view or modify its private and confidential information.
You can access more information by clicking on this link.

Takamul Service
It is a free consulting service provided by the NCDC to help professionals within government/business sectors to develop solutions and applications to utilize the PKI digital certificates, and accordingly to raise the level of safety and trust in the transactions of Government entities/businesses through having:
  • Strong authentication using digital certificates instead of a password.
  • Digital signature using digital certificates to sign files/documents instead of a physical signature
  • Encryption of files documents and all other data
  • Electronic seal through digitally sealing any file issued by the entity, instead of a physical seal
You can access more information by clicking on this link.
 
Types of Digital Certificates
 
Secure Email Certificate
A digital certificate that raises the level of safety and trust in email through both certified digital signature and encryption.
You can access more information by clicking on this link.

Name Certificate
A digital certificate that raises the level of safety and trust in electronic transactions, which depends on the person’s name as an identifier and a verification means for the user.
You can access more information by clicking on this link.

Secure Website Certificate
A secure website certificate raises safety and trust in electronic transactions based on a secure and encrypted connection between a browser or a visitor's device and the website's server.
You can access more information by clicking on this link.

Hardware Certificate
A digital certificate for storage hardware or servers with authentication and encryption features.
You can access more information by clicking on this link.

Organization Certificate
A digital certificate issued to persons within the organization or specific authority such as signing special transactions as specified by the organization in its electronic system.
You can access more information by clicking on this link.

Commercial Certification Service Providers
The Baud Telecommunication Company and the Arab Internet and Communications Services Company have been licensed to provide digital certification services by decision of the Communications and Information Technology Commission, in accordance with the regulations and conditions of the Commission.
 

 Shared Government Data Exchange  

The Government Service Bus (GSB) represents one of the main pillars of the national infrastructure projects, operated and managed by the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), aiming to activate the exchange of joint government data between authorized entities, using the data to provide their government services electronically in an accurate, fast and secure manner.
Due to the nature of government services and their nature of relying on integration and interdependence between various agencies to implement government services, there are two forms of channel link. The first one includes the link of the entity to the channel as a provider of services and data that are provided through the channel for the benefit of other parties, while the other form includes the link to the channel as a beneficiary of the services and data through the channel.
The Government Integration Channel (GSB) is one of the many forms of support and assistance provided by the National Data Center (NIC) to government agencies in order to provide their services electronically in an integrated, easy, and accessible manner, especially since the concept of e-government transactions requires all government agencies to provide their services while ensuring that the data and information required to complete the services is provided by other government agencies. This is carried out through the Government Service Bus (GSB Integration).
Benefits of Linking to the Government Service Bus (GSB)
• Assisting government agencies to create integrated e-services.
• Providing consistent updated data.
• Enabling government agencies to complete and provide their services electronically.
• Providing services offered by a single government agency to all government sectors.
• Services provided through the channel are characterized by high-quality, efficient performance, reliability, and increased dependability.
• Reducing the time and cost required for integration and interdependence between government agencies.
• Reducing the development lifecycle of e-services.
 
There are established set of regulations for governing the exchange of shared government data. Among these are the following:
 
 

 Digital Software and Platforms

The Kingdom adopted and developed comprehensive government platforms, which launched several e-platforms and services aimed at promoting integration principles in providing services between government entities and providing streamlined and safe experiences for all beneficiaries. This was emphasized by supporting and operating the Government Service Bus (GSB) and the Chief Information Officers Portal, which generated the launch of remote work campaigns for 229 government agencies, completed 249 services for government agencies through the portal while currently providing 165 services, and adopting a unified smart attendance system.
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology launched a specialized, non-profit initiative to spread digital awareness among society. The initiative offers many specialized digital transformation and information security courses, and experts and specialists teach numerous seminars. It also provides an opportunity to obtain answers from specialists.
The Kingdom launched the Digital Giving Initiative, Attaa Digital, which was awarded the 2020 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prize, by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in the category of cultural and linguistic diversity and local content. This contributed to launching the “Ethra” platform in partnership with the private sector and the launch of the “Kollona Attaa” initiative.
The main Saudi electronic magazine specialized in the government sector provides visitors, interested parties, and digital transformation leaders with specialized content and data regarding artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and emerging technologies locally and globally.

Masder
The Kingdom supported open-source solutions by launching the Masdar platform, a integrated platform for Saudi government entities, public and private companies, universities and research institutions focused on open-source software, which contributed to reducing costs, encouraging digital innovation, maximizing local content, and establishing the giving and sharing concept to build an effective digital society in the Kingdom.

“ThinkTech”
The Kingdom launched the Digital Knowledge Platform, “ThinkTech”, which is a platform that includes awareness projects for exploring new technological developments aimed at raising digital awareness. It contributed to serving over 3 million digital content beneficiaries and 100,000 event beneficiaries, launching “Future Trucks” and “Virtual Lab” initiatives to raise awareness about Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, with 31,800 beneficiaries, organizing and holding the World Robot Olympiad for the first time in the Kingdom, where more than 800 Saudi teams and over 2,000 students were trained on Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, launching the “Educational Journeys” platform for exploring new technological developments to achieve sustainable development, and launching the “IBM Digital-Nation” platforming partnership with IBM company to provide a wide range of courses at different levels in emerging technologies.

“Tech Champions”
The Kingdom launched the “Tech Champions” program, which has achieved many projects such as 4 camps, 3 business accelerators, 3,000 incubators, 350 participants in bootcamps, 60 beneficiaries of accelerators, 50 new digital business models and 20 incubated entrepreneurs in its first version. The program contributes to supporting entrepreneurs and motivating new companies to enter the market with entrepreneurs and individuals interested in this field.

“Digital Hemam Bookcamps”
The Kingdom launched the “Digital Himam Bookcamps”by the Saudi Digital Academy to professionalize and qualify recent graduates and job seekers through intensive, qualitative and specialized training camps, including the Software Quality Assurance Bootcamp, which is a 13 week intensive remote training camp.

Alibaba Cloud
The Kingdom launched Alibaba Cloud Center for cloud computing in Riyadh, which contributed to achieving digital sustainability, developing and training local talents, accelerating the growth of the local economic ecosystem, raising the rates of Saudization of technological jobs and building a strong national economy over the next five years.
The Kingdom launched the largest advanced cloud center in the Kingdom as part of the strategic agreement signed by Saudi Aramco Co, and Google Cloud. The partnership supports entrepreneurs and companies by reducing efforts by 70%, reducing costs by 30% and providing innovative solutions in the 4th industrial revolution, data, and artificial intelligence.
 

Wazen Methodology

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology launched the Wazen Methodology, with methodologies and tools to calculate costs of government services. This contributed to numerous achievements in 2020, including the development of a methodology for calculating and reducing the cost of digital services, based on global best practices by Technology Business Management (TBM) Council, designed a tool for calculating and optimizing costs, in addition to preparing training materials and changing management plans, designed a performance measurement dashboard to enable decision makers to develop and improve the cost of performance of digital government services, developed a detail plan using the aforementioned methodology for calculating and reducing the cost of digital government services 2020/2021, and trained executives in 18 government entities.