Category Archives: Press-release

A Cybersecurity Leadership program targeting senior leadership and officials from the Royal Government of Bhutan  (RGoB) began on the 6th of January 2022. It is supported by the Temasek Foundation and organized and implemented by the Nanyang Polytechnic International, Singapore. The program consists of a total of five 2-hour sessions spread over several weeks and is attended by 30 senior officials from across the RGoB and set to conclude on 20th January, 2022.

As Digital Transformation becomes more mainstream in Bhutan with increasing access to digital devices and high speed connectivity, the cybersecurity threat landscape is also growing and evolving. Awareness of Cybersecurity threats and challenges at the leadership level is therefore very critical. The question organizations across the RGOB face today is not ‘if’ a cyberattack will happen, but ‘when’. The degree of financial loss and reputational damage from a major cyberattack can be severe and the loss of faith in digital government an even bigger risk for Bhutan. All our senior leadership need to ask — “Are we sufficiently prepared to respond and manage a large-scale cyberattack?”.

In addition to equipping the leaders with knowledge on the global trends on Cybersecurity threats and challenges, the program include; introduction to the Singapore Cybersecurity Strategy, a sharing by a Chief Information Security Officer from a public agency on how cybersecurity can be managed in a public agency, sharing by an Industry speaker on cases of data breaches and the importance of data security, and sharing on the importance of cybersecurity manpower building and introduction to the Singapore’s skills framework on security. Therefore, speakers from relevant public agencies and industry from Singapore will be presenting valuable cybersecurity experiences and sharing valuable insights, issues and best practices.

The Department of IT and Telecom would like to take this opportunity to thank the Temasek Foundation, NanYang Polytechnic International (NYPi) and the Government of Singapore for supporting and organizing this important program.

Contact Webmaster

Press Release:This is a vital cornerstone for Bhutan as we embark on a journey to effectively use technology to transform the way that the RGoB delivers services while transforming the lives of our citizens. One of the key requirements for delivering services is the need to verify the identity of applicants. Since we are unable to do this securely, some vital services like opening bank accounts, selling land, and similar important services, still require face to face interactions.

To digitally transform such services requires the secure and efficient verification of the applicant’s identity. This is currently not possible online, but what we are initiating today will help set up the foundational data required to enable this. The biometric data collected through this project will strengthen the root of trust Identity database and enhance it to be used for remote on boarding of “Digital Identities”. This will set the foundations to enable the transformation of those vital services into easy to use, but at the same time, trustworthy online services.

Unlike face to face delivery of services, in online services, the service provider and the consumer cannot see each other thus making providing online services extremely challenging as the identity of the applicant cannot be ascertained. The biometric data captured through this initiative will enable us to link our identities to our digital avatar thus enabling us to securely authenticate the applicants identity which will open up vast opportunities in how the government can easily provision services for citizens.

It has thus become critical for us to leverage technology for optimizing government functions and providing effective online services for our citizens as envisioned by His Majesty and Digital Identity will play a key role in enabling this transformation.

The followings are the key activities undertaken and expected to be taken up hereafter:

1. The Biometric Data collection was initiated in collaboration with the Department of IT & Telecom, Department of Civil Registration & Census, Department of Immigration and De-Suung Office for the National Digital Identity.
2. The total number of citizens’ biometrics data collected as of 14th September 2021 is 25,333 during the pilot project and the extended pilot starting from 6th April, 2021.
3. The program would begin from the urban centers so as to ensure that the biometric collection program does not clash with the upcoming Local Government Election.
4. 130 De-Suups are deployed for this project, where teams of 9 to 12 De-Suups will be deployed to each Dzongkhag. They will be supported by the Dzongkhag Civil Registration & Census officers who will be the Dzongkhag co-ordinator for their respective Dzongkhags.
5. The nationwide rollout is scheduled to start simultaneously in 11 Dzongkhags namely Bumthang, Chukha, Gasa, Haa, Mongar, Pemagatshel, Punakha, Thimphu, Trashigang, Wangdue Phodrang and Zhemgang with the launching of the program coinciding with the 10th Anniversary of Their Majesty’s Wedding.

Contact Webmaster

A virtual signing ceremony was held today at the conference hall of the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) to sign the Implementing Arrangement (IA) to jointly develop a small satellite for Bhutan.

The IA was signed by Mr. Jigme Tenzing, Director, Department of Information Technology and Telecom (DITT), Royal Government of Bhutan and Shri R. Umamaheshwaram, Scientific Secretary, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). 

In accordance with the IA, the DITT and ISRO will cooperate on the development of a joint satellite to be launched sometime towards the end of this year. This is in line with the MoU signed on 19th November 2020 between Bhutan and India on Collaboration in Peaceful Uses of Outer Space under the purview of the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC). 

The event was graced by H.E. Ambassador Ruchira Khamboj, Ambassador of India to Bhutan, Dasho Phuntsho Tobgay, Secretary, MoIC, Ambassador Pema Choden, Officiating Foreign Secretary and other officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and MoIC. Bhutan’s Ambassador to India, H.E. Ambassador Major General Vetsop Namgyel, senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, GoI and the Royal Bhutanese Embassy in New Delhi also attended the event through Video Conferencing. 

The Hon’ble Minister, MoIC highlighted the Royal Vision of His Majesty The King to harness space technology and its applications for the benefit of the country, and to use space related activities to create a greater sense of interest and passion in the students for science, technology and innovation, also adding that this partnership will help elevate Bhutan’s space ambitions to great heights. 

Contact Webmaster

On behalf of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Mr. Kozo Watanabe, Chief Representative of JICA Bhutan Office handed over 1000 face shields and 4000 face masks to the Hon’ble Lyonpo Karma Donnen Wangdi, Minister of  Ministry of Information and Communications yesterday at MoIC, Thimphu, in presence of the Hon’ble Secretary and other officials from MoIC and JICA.

The Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)  will be distributed to frontline workers under the Department of Air Transport and Road Safety Transport Authority. Lyonpo thanked JICA for extending the support and further, the Hon’ble Minister and Mr. Kozo Watanabe took the opportunity to discuss the project proposal for health data analytics which will also set up the health data bank, medical data bank, and bio data bank. The project is the first of its kind with the potential for creating one of the world’s leading health and medical databases. The database can also be used for medical and pharmaceutical research which will become the basis for personalized medicine and preventive measures including early detection. The project also leans on the technological evolution taking place and how data will be generated through personal devices and life course data will be captured for individuals. The data will be linked to the digital ID of each citizen.

The equipment was handed over as part of the utilization of the outputs for creating awareness on the Business Continuity Plan (BCP) developed through the Project for Development of BCP for Disaster Control. The activities include expanding the experience gained in creating BCP through technical cooperation with Bhutan Telecom to BBS, airport staff, Road Safety Officials, emergency response volunteers, and other frontline responders. The Chief Representative stated that JICA highly appreciates the contribution of all the front-line workers working tirelessly towards keeping us all safe.

Contact Person : Ms. Pema Chetsho 

Contact Webmaster