ABU DHABI // Government workers have until November to begin abiding by strict new information security laws issued by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid, the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
The regulations, which were published in the latest issue of the federal official gazette, prohibit federal employees from sending, forwarding or responding to email containing confidential information or that may infringe on intellectual property rights.
They also prohibit sending, forwarding, copying or forwarding email messages that contain attachments with viruses, spyware, malware or illegal content.
The use of free email such as Hotmail, Gmail and Yahoo has been banned under the new regulations and official email cannot be used for personal purposes.
Any staff members who have their email connected to their smartphones are expected to put password locks on their phone.
The regulations were created to provide a legal framework for ensuring the security of information in federal agencies and aim to encourage users to be more aware of security.
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority is in the process of circulating the new decision to all federal authorities and the law will come into effect in 90 days.