RIYADH, 1 June 2003 — King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) has signed a contract with Al-Moammer Information Systems (MIS) for setting up the Saudi Center for Digital Certification. It will provide required security for Internet users, especially for online commercial and non-commercial transactions.
Dr. Fahad Al-Hoymany, the director of the center, told Arab News that it would be in the KACST headquarters. The center, he explained, would be authenticating digital IDs, enabling Internet users to identify themselves online.
“They can sign and issue documents in a safe and secure environment,” he explained.
The authentication of digital signatures is an important element of PKI (Public Key Infrastructure). Lack of such a facility has hindered the growth of e-commerce in the Kingdom. The Ministry of Commerce, which is in charge of coordinating with various ministries and the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency, has designated KACST as the agency for operating the digital certification center.
