Framework for Governance of personal identification information in Mozambique

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a framework for the governance of personal identification information in order to support public-sector service delivery. This study used a positivist epistemology, but it is also founded on realism as an objective reality ontology. This quantitative multimethod study used a survey research design with a questionnaire as the main quantitative data collection tool. A total of 177 questionnaires were returned to the researcher out of the 247 distributed to 18 public government agencies. The study found that physical security measures, such as those applied to facilities, technical access controls, and employee training, were not covered by the personal information framework. In Mozambique, the Civil Personal Identification Information Code Act does not comply with security, storage, access, and disposal issues, as well as the legislative framework on records and archives management. Furthermore, in Mozambique, provincial public government agencies did not establish records appraisal committees for personal identification records. Therefore, untrained staff do not seek permission from the archivist for transfer and destruction processes carried out that do not comply with the current Records and Archives Management Act No. 84/2018 of 2018 (Moçambique, 2018:5). The current legislative framework does not address the management of all digital data and related systems within government bodies. Mozambique's public government agencies for personal identification information have yet to develop an appropriate framework for the governance of personal identification information. In the hope of improving service delivery, this study proposes a framework for the governance of personal identification information in Mozambique. Mozambique's government agencies should implement effective security measures. They should also develop appropriate record storage systems to ensure that records are available when requested, implement existing disposal strategies, and update existing legislative frameworks for electronic or digital records management. Further research into the assessment of online personal identification record services in Mozambique is required.