IfG.CC - The Potsdam eGovernment Competence Center

Thanks to the introduction of the "burgerpin" - a personal identification and authentication code - e-government in the Netherlands is expected to get a boost on 1 January, 2005, when its citizenry will be able to interact securely online with their local councils. A pilot project has already begun in the city of Enschede Several agencies, such as the tax, unemployment and social insurance authorities, are also expected to follow suit with their own secure e-gov services.

EGEM, an organisation that supports local councils in their ICT projects, is responsible for the implementation of the security code.

Users can register online for a burgerpin, which comprises a user-name and password, and are required to provide personal details and their tax number (which is often used for personal identification in the Netherlands). This information is then validated centrally against the local councils’ administrative database before it is accepted.

As expected, there are privacy issues involved in the introduction of the personal security code. Consequently, users requesting such a code are required to sign a waiver that releases EGEM from responsibility for any misuse of this personal data.

To ensure a smooth introduction, EGEM is organising a congress for local councils on 5 October. It has also put together an information folder that highlights the consequences of deployment of secure e-government services and what a security code will have on their service provision, organisation, technology and communication.

EGEM is also planning a similar information package for private individuals.

The move is part of the central government’s goal to have at least 65 per cent of all government (central, provincial and local) services also offered through the internet by 2007.

Autor: Joe Figueiredo

Quelle: DMeurope, 31.08.2004