Contract signed for internet authentication service

New Zealand is a step closer to providing a common logon authentication service that will ensure privacy and efficiency for e-government users with confirmation of the commercial supplier, State Services Minister Trevor Mallard announced today.

"It is great that a New Zealand company, Datacom, has been selected to provide the infrastructure for this all-of-government authentication solution – a solution that is unique to New Zealand, and one with privacy at its core," Mr Mallard said.

"This is a significant step towards the e-government programme's goal to provide convenient, efficient and integrated government services to New Zealanders."

Mr Mallard explained the goal of the shared logon project is to provide a common logon service for those people using government services over the Internet. The common logon service will allow people to more conveniently access government online services by using the same logon – for instance a username and password, or digital certificate.

"This is all about trust and security. High quality authentication is essential if we are to achieve the e-government strategy goal of having network and Internet technologies integral to the delivery of government to New Zealanders by 2007.

"As more and more services come online, the common logon service will allow New Zealanders to use the same logon for all of these services. It's a great step forward.

"This government is intent on building stronger public services, and making those services easily accessible online is part of this commitment.

"The shared logon project is designed to take into account New Zealanders' views on privacy. New Zealanders are very proud of their independence and we have designed a system that respects this. Government agencies only have access to personal information concerning the transactions they are undertaking," said Mr Mallard.

The project is budgeted at $16.9 million over the next two years and is being managed by the State Services Commission's e-government unit. The Datacom contract is for $8.311 million over three years.