- Retains certification for second consecutive year
- Underlines international standards followed for data collection and dissemination process
Emcredit the UAE’s first government-backed credit bureau, announced today that it has retained its ISO 27001 certification for the second consecutive year following a detailed audit conducted recently by TUV NORD Middle East.
This is the world’s highest accreditation for information protection and security, endorsing the quality of processes followed by Emcredit in compiling and disseminating credit information reports.
“Data privacy is of utmost importance in our operations. This recent reaffirmation of our data security rankings is a clear indication of the robustness of our systems and processes, enhancing the confidence of our members,†said Ali Ibrahim, Managing Director, Emcredit. “Since first receiving the ISO 27001 certification in December 2008, Emcredit has consistently maintained highest standards of security in collecting and providing credit information reports to our members and will continue to do so in future.â€
Ibrahim added that a vast amount of credit and personal information from financial institutions and government departments is transferred to Emcredit’s systems and updated on a real-time basis. A growing number of clients and members are accessing this information online and in real time to support their business decisions. Even as the company expands its information coverage and reporting solutions to different sectors of the economy, information security will continue to remain central to Emcredit’s operational efficiency and professionalism.
ISO/IEC 27001, part of the growing ISO/IEC 27000 series of standards, is an information security management system (ISMS) standard published in October 2005 by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The ISO27k standards provide generally accepted good practice guidance on Information Security Management Systems designed to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the information content and systems.
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About Emcredit:
Emcredit is the UAE’s pioneer information services company. It provides a range of comprehensive, accurate and timely information solutions such as credit bureau services, cheque-honouring reports, business background reports and other risk assessment tools. Emcredit’s decision support tools enable private and public entities to gain greater perspective into the risk profiles of individuals and companies, thereby empowering them to make more informed business decisions.
The company has a rich database on individuals and companies in the UAE, including 5.6 million consumer identification records, payment behaviour information on consumer and commercial borrowers and 35 per cent of mortgage data in the UAE. It has established data-sharing agreements with several government departments, to power its information solutions. These government entities include Dubai e-Government, Dubai Police, Department of Economic Development (DED), Dubai Land Department and its subsidiary, the Real Estate Regulatory Authority.
Emcredit is registered as a private entity and is based in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), which is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). Emcredit operates in line with the DIFC’s Data Protection Law.
Emcredit was incorporated in January 2006 under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. It is a fully owned subsidiary of the Department of Economic Development (DED), Government of Dubai.
