Labeled as one of the most important achievements of the Ministry, the National Information Centre (NIC) was established to provide services to sectors of the Ministry. Leveraging advanced computer systems and massive storage capacity, the NIC facilitates communication via a vast information network that covers all areas of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

"Moving toward a secure e-government model can be an arduous undertaking. As such, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia should be commended for implementing a secure single sign-on application that will help streamline communication and access to information in an efficient, convenient manner," said Entrust Chairman, president and chief executive officer Bill Conner. "Implementing such an application will allow the country's Ministry of Interior to improve cost-effectiveness, increase productivity and help promote secure communication between government agencies and departments."

Entrust GetAccess is a proven, scalable Web access control solution that can help reduce costs and increase efficiency through online applications. Using its robust standards-based policy engine, Entrust GetAccess enables central management of access to multiple applications through a single portal, providing users with single sign-on (SSO) to authorized applications and content. Its built-in identity federation capabilities, which come at no extra cost, make it an important part of the Entrust layered security model. They help users securely and transparently access applications across government departments and/or corporate boundaries.

The NIC provides the Ministry's sectors with services related to the flow of information, updating computer programs, usage of computers, and storing data according to the latest secure information technology practices. The NIC is inter-connected through a number of branches and divisions throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which offer operations and maintenance services to the Ministry's sectors in the regions and participate in serving and supporting the Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca.