The SFDA held a meeting yesterday about information security and international standards (ISO 27001); which has been recently gained by the SFDA, and it was attended by a large number of specialists and SFDA staff. ISO is one of the most important certifications recognized internationally for raising the quality and efficiency of organizations around the world in field of information security. The International Organization of Standardization "ISO" by granting this certification aims to improve standards related to information security administration.
In this occasion, Mr. Howard Robert, executive president of the British Standards Institute (BSI), delivered "ISO 27001" certification to his Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Ahmed Alkanhal, acting executive president of the SFDA.
His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Ahmed Alkanhal, the acting executive vice president of the SFDA declared that the infinite support received from his Royal Highness Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz, Vice President of Ministers Council, Minister of Defense and Aviation, General Inspector and Chairman of the SFDA Board of Directors, resulted in gaining this certification.
The general director of information technology Dr. Mohammed bin Abdul-Aziz Alagili, talked about the big concern given by the SFDA to maintain secrecy and information security, as it started working for obtaining this certification from the beginning of year 2008; by re-designing and implementing several procedures and regulations, in compatible with international standardizations, to work effectively and continuously as well as training some employees to perform these duties. ISO 27001 certification considered the comprehensive international most famous standard which is an extension to the known British Standards "BS 7799" that was stopped on 2005 and replaced by "ISO 27001". It worth mention that few numbers of establishments have received the certification; as tough standards and requirements should be accomplished.
An introductory meeting about importance of information security and ISO 27001concided the ceremony that started with a speech of Dr. Mohammed bin Abdul-Aziz Alagili, general director of information technology, about how the SFDA gained the certification and stages went through. After that, Mr. Howard Robert delivered his speech in which he confirmed the importance of ISO certification as well as applying standards of it. Then, a representative of the BSI handed Dr. Alkanhal the ISO 27001 certification and approved the SFDA as one of authorities obliged with this certification standards. Next, Dr, Khalid bin Sulaiman Algathbar, director of the Center of Excellence in Information Assurance, held a lecture entitled "Information Security: scrutiny and review", followed by a presentation about success factors of information technology solutions given by SFDA consultant Dr. Saad bin Uthman Alkasabi. The ceremony was concluded by a word given by Dr. Alkanhal, in which he thanked all those who participate in this accomplishment.
The ISO was established on 1946, as an international union and a non- profit organization located in Geneva, containing more than 561 national standardization organization, yet it started virtually on 1947.
This certification is an extension of SFDA former successes and it goes along with its strategic tendency which adopts new modern techniques. The SFDA has already gained the first position in Raqmi's ward; which was offered by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, as it has the best Saudi website in field of health.