Nabilah S
Papua New Guinea’s citizens are encouraged to recognize the vital role of data within the nation, mainly focusing on how the government is tackling various data-related challenges. These challenges encompass cyber-security, maintaining data quality, and strictly handling personal data.
The nation’s Department of Information and Communication Technology has been challenged to devise a policy ensuring the country’s data’s security, privacy, and local control.
Robertson Asari, the former Executive Manager for Digital Government and Shared Services at the DICT, was recently invited by the Media Development Initiative to enlighten media organizations on this subject. Asari highlighted the department’s efforts in transforming the government’s information sector, combating corruption, and addressing emerging issues like data privacy and cyber-security.
The newly introduced policy, termed ‘Data Governance,’ lays the groundwork for a management and control framework. This framework guarantees data quality, security, availability, and adherence to regulations within Papua New Guinea.
Jessy Sekere, DICT’s Manager for Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation, who is instrumental in shaping this policy, emphasized that Data Governance acts as a guardian of data management in the country. It ensures data accuracy, availability, and secure access for those who need it. “Data is a pillar of development,” Sekere noted that accurate data enables well-informed policy decisions and resource allocation. The policy encompasses various elements, including policies, procedures, standards, and roles and responsibilities in data management.
