Maait Directs Activating E-Payments in All Administrative Bodies

The Egyptian Minister of Finance Mohamed Maait reviewed on Saturday the precautionary measures of the electronic payment and collection systems in administrative bodies, within the framework of the ministry's plan to maximize digital capabilities and optimal deployment of technology in the electronic financial system in accordance with the latest international experiences.

The new e-system is expected to enhance governance, ensure the utmost accuracy and protection of financial operations, as well as the rational management of public money.

This comes in light of the state and government priorities during the current stage in order to reduce its repercussions and negative effects on health, social, and economic systems.

Maait directed the administrative bodies to take the necessary measures to ensure compliance by the concerned personnel with the electronic payment system with the established controls and procedures; In a way that guarantees the protection of workers' rights, maintaining confidentiality and securing financial transactions that are carried out through an electronic signature key "Token ID" and signature.

The minister reaffirmed his assertion that the electronic signature is a personal custody, adding that it is not permissible to trade it in any way or hand it over to any other person, including the secret number attached to it, and it is prohibited to dispose it except through the governmental electronic certification authority in the Ministry of Finance.

He clarified that some financial officials in the administrative bodies leave the "tokens" to data entryers, which may lead to a breach of the governance procedures required by the business interest, including the quality and accuracy of performance in the new system.

Maait: Any data breach is subject to disciplinary accountability

Maait emphasized that the financial officials of the administrative authorities, who are authorized to sign the first and second e-signatures must abide by prohibiting the delivery of the electronic key “token” or their secret number to any person to avoid being subject to disciplinary accountability.

The minister indicated that it is necessary to change the secret passwords accompanying the electronic signatures periodically, at least on a monthly basis; In order to preserve the confidentiality and security of the financial transactions carried out through the electronic signature key, pointing to the continuous sudden inspection of electronic signatures to ensure that it is in the possession of its owners, and to take the necessary legal measures against any breach.

Maait added that there are monitoring and follow-up committees in the accounts sector and financial directorates to analyze the results of periodic inspection of the first and second electronic signatures, taking the necessary measures in this regard.