Dubai Health Authority launches Information Security Project

Al Qatami: DHA to train 10,000 employees in data archiving and best safety and accuracy standards.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, July 27, 2017:  The Dubai Health Authority ( DHA) announced today that it  has launched an Information Security project, which is in line with the vision of the Dubai Cyber Security Strategy launched by Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum with an aim to strengthen Dubai’s position as a world leader in innovation, safety and security

The DHA’s Board identified several phases of implementation for this project, which include: information gathering, security analysis, policies and procedures, risk assessment, plan development, application, business continuity, workshops and outreach and the final phase is internal audit.

The Authority has established a senior monitoring and evaluation Committee, that will oversee the implementation of information system management and controls, promote a culture of information security and disseminate information to DHA staff. The committee will also conduct periodic review of the system, follow-up of all internal and external audits, and review the risk assessment methodology periodically. 

The project comprises of the following core concepts: management and governance of information security, management of information and related assets, risk management of information assets, incident management, access control, operations management,  systems and communications, planning for business continuity and activities, ownership, development and management of information systems, information protection, role and responsibilities of human resources, legislative regulation and oversight, ensuring information security and performance evaluation.

H.E. Humaid Mohammed Al Qatami, Chairman of the Board and Director-General of the DHA, said that in line with the vision of the Dubai Cyber Security Strategy launched by Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, DHA will ensure implementation of the project that is vital to further protect health information in a digital environment. 

The Dubai Health Authority is committed to the implementation of the Dubai Government's Information Security Regulation (ISR) as per Resolution No. 13 of 2012 passed by Dubai Executive Council.

DHA is working at various levels to ensure they adhere to these standards and in fact the Authority is the world’s first government health organization to receive Uptime Institute (UTI) Tier III Data Center design certification.

DHA has recently launched the first phase of its ‘ Salama’ project, which is DHA-wide project that aims to provide patients and doctors access to medical records through a patient portal and ensure that the electronic patient medical record is available across the DHA health facilities.

After all phases of the Salama project will be completed, the DHA will also work on implementing the NABIDH( pulse) project. NABIDH stands for Network & Analysis Backbone for Integrated Dubai Health. The project will enable the creation of a unified medical record for each individual in Dubai by connecting the information contained in all public and private healthcare facilities. NABIDH’s community view of patient’s health record will lead to improved quality and patient safety, reduced cost and evidence-based care.

Al Qatami said that DHA has adopted a robust training program for the Information Security project, so far 5000 staff members have been trained and by the end of the year 10,000 staff members will be trained in data achieving and information protection and security protocols.