Bahrain is a step closer to creating a national database through its newly-Government Data Network (GDN), reported the Gulf News.
Compatible information technology (IT) software installed in the past couple of years have centralized the government's computer system, thus reducing costs and cutting down on storage space, said the news service, adding that creating a national data base will also eliminate duplication.
The project is a prelude to a proposed linkage of all the country's government computer systems, which could begin as early as June.
Both ideas, which were suggested last year by head of the Central Statistics Organization (CSO), Shaikh Ahmed bin Ateyatalla Al Khalifa, will create a network that is accessible to all government ministries, said the Gulf News.
It will also allow updates entered by one ministry to be instantly accessible to all other ministries.
The government, said the Gulf News, has recently completed the installation of the single network system and will soon begin installing a multi-million dinar computer security system.
The new linkage, which began more than three years ago, has replaced the once scattered dial-up Integrated Services Digital Network (SDN), and leased line Internet services.
When the entire system installation is completed by the spring of 2003, Bahrain will be the first Arab country to ensure total safety and security of shared data, an official said -- Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
