Cybersecurity: Census Devices Underwent Required Examinations and Procedures
Amman3 min read
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The National Cybersecurity Center confirmed that the tablet devices received from the brotherly country of Iraq and used in the implementation of the 2026 General Population and Housing Census underwent the necessary technical procedures and examinations before use, and that the information and claims circulating about the existence of cyber risks associated with these devices are unfounded and not based on any technical or scientific basis.
In response to inquiries from the Petra News Agency on Monday regarding the circulated information about the devices, the Center clarified that the devices received from the Statistical Authority and Geographic Information Systems in the brotherly country of Iraq arrived in the Kingdom more than a year ago, and their arrival was officially announced at the time, and they were not used in the census operations until after the necessary official and technical procedures were completed by the concerned authorities.
It was noted that upon arrival in the Kingdom, the devices were received by specialized official committees and subjected to a number of technical examinations and procedures by the relevant official authorities, including cybersecurity authorities, the Ministry of Digital Economy, Entrepreneurship, the General Customs Department, and the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, each within its jurisdiction, to verify their readiness for use.
The availability and reuse of data collection devices among statistical devices in countries, including Jordan, is one of the statistical cooperation practices followed in a number of international experiences, which allows for the utilization of available resources and technical capabilities in conducting censuses.
The Center added that the devices underwent technical procedures that included resetting them to factory settings, as part of the procedures followed before putting them into service after completing the required examinations and procedures.
The Center clarified that the talk about the possibility of leaking data of citizens and residents on the Kingdom's land or hacking the census system is not based on any technical or scientific evidence and is unfounded.
The National Cybersecurity Center confirmed that the protection of government systems and data is subject to security and technical procedures and controls, and that the handling of devices and systems used in government institutions is in accordance with the approved frameworks and procedures.
The Center called for accuracy and not circulating unverified information or building security conclusions on unproven technical assumptions, stressing that the official technical results and procedures are the reference in evaluating the cybersecurity safety of devices and systems.
