Leading commercial websites register for Interstandards’ quality initiative

Interstandards, the Arab Internet Standards Organization (AISO), today announced that a number of leading commercial websites have joined its quality certification programme since start of registration in May. aljazeera.net, maktoob.com, tejari.com, dubaiinternetcity.com, jeeran.com, albawaba.com, naharnet.com and mahjoub.com are among the first websites to register for the quality initiative. Interstandards was launched in November 2005 with the aim of creating industry standards for Arab commercial websites through a certified quality assessment procedure. Developed in association with the British Standards Institution (BSI), the quality programme is leveraged as a joint initiative with Dubai Internet City and eHosting DataFort. Duri Al Ajrami, Managing Director of Interstandards said: “The level of response to the quality certification initiative is extremely encouraging. It illustrates the high level of commitment among leading Arab web publishers to offer premium and standardised online products and services to end users and business partners.” Jamal Abdulsalam, Executive Director, Dubai Internet City said: “As the region’s hub for information and communications technology, DIC is keen to support programmes that drive the growth of the ICT industry. Through our joint venture with eHosting DataFort and Arab Internet Standards Organization, we look forward to participating in the creation of a vibrant Arab e-business sector in the region.” When asked how such standards can benefit the web industry, Dr. Saeed Al Barwani, CEO of eHosting Data Fort explained: “Putting in place minimum security standards for particular types of data can only benefit businesses and individuals by almost eliminating the risk of unauthorized use of the data they provide to these websites”. “Furthermore, such standards can also ensure the publication of a website's security procedures or its adherence to particular standards. Such postings will then be subject to legal ramifications if the statements are found to be false”, he added. Upon registration, commercial web publishers will receive comprehensive information on quality norms and standards to facilitate an in-house check, ahead of Interstandards’ auditing procedure. Interstandards will award the first batch of quality certifications end of 2006.