The digital government act 2023 of the Republic of Kiribati

October 2023

View the original document

National Regulations

The Digital Government Act 2023 of the Republic of Kiribati establishes a comprehensive legal framework to guide the government’s digital transformation, ensuring effective and secure delivery of public services through information and communication technologies (ICT).

Purpose and scope

The Act aims to:

  • Improve government operations through digital services.
  • Enhance accessibility, efficiency, and security in public service delivery.
  • Ensure data integrity and protection.
  • Promote digital inclusion and open government data.
  • Establish bodies and mechanisms to oversee digital government initiatives.

Key components

  1. Digital Transformation Office (DTO):
    This body leads digital governance, develops ICT policies, coordinates infrastructure and services, ensures cybersecurity, and monitors compliance. It also oversees government-wide systems and registers.
  2. Digital infrastructure:
    The Act regulates critical infrastructure, including:
    • Government Secure Network
    • Government Leased and Private Cloud Infrastructures
    • Government Computer Data Repository
      These systems must be used by all public bodies, ensuring centralised and secure digital services and data storage.
  3. Digital services:
    Public bodies are mandated to provide digital services via a National Digital Government Portal. The Act also enforces the use of the government domain (.gov.ki) for websites and emails, regulates social media accounts, and encourages paperless processes.
  4. Computer data management:
    Strict rules govern data collection, storage, classification, sharing, and security, including:
    • Classification of data into top-secret, confidential, or open.
    • Use of secure platforms for data sharing and integration.
    • Mandatory use of centralised data repositories with ownership retained by individual agencies.
  5. Cybersecurity:
    The National Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) handles cybersecurity operations, incident response, and coordination with law enforcement.
  6. Boards and committees:
    • National Digital Transformation Advisory Board: Advises on ICT strategy and monitors implementation.
    • ICT Audit Committee: Audits systems and ensures compliance with ICT standards and security protocols.
  7. Enforcement and offences:
    The Act grants powers to the DTO and its officers to investigate, enforce compliance, and impose penalties for violations, including fines and imprisonment for offences such as unauthorised data access or destruction of digital infrastructure.

Broader vision

The Act is designed to facilitate a safe, efficient, and accessible digital government ecosystem, aligned with global best practices, while safeguarding individual rights, national security, and public interests. It also prepares Kiribati to embrace digital innovation and reduce dependency on paper-based processes.