The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) assures Filipinos that the technical specifications of major components of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys), including the Systems Integrator (SI), are anchored to cutting edge approaches and technologies, including open source software, cloud computing, and privacy-by-design.

The Systems Integrator is developing the core software and information technology (IT) infrastructure, and integrating those with other components procured separately, including the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), registration kits, and card production.

Endorsed by the PSA Bids and Awards Committee, the PSA shifted towards incorporating cloud computing as part of a hybrid approach. This decision was aligned with the PhilSys' functional requirements and the June 2020 update by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on the Government Cloud First Policy, and supported by inquiries of shortlisted bidders for PSA to consider cloud or hybrid cloud infrastructure.

PSA intends to house PhilSys applications on the Philippine government cloud while the PhilSys data remains within on-premise data centers.

“The hybrid architecture chosen for PhilSys provides PSA with physical control and responsibility over the data center and servers that will hold PhilSys data, while benefiting from the performance advantages of cloud computing for resource-intensive processes such as authentication, back-office functions, and use cases processes,” Undersecretary Dennis S. Mapa said, National Statistician and Civil Registrar General of PSA.

In pursuing a hybrid architecture solution for the SI, PSA adheres to and pioneers the Cloud First Policy of the DICT wherein government agencies are required to adopt cloud computing as the preferred ICT deployment strategy. DICT, as a member of the PhilSys Policy and Coordination Council (PSPCC), signified its support, and assured that cloud subscriptions can be easily activated by PSA.

Moreover, the core platform of PhilSys called the Modular Open Source Identity Platform (MOSIP) can work effectively with the hybrid solution, as described in the official MOSIP documentation.

On data privacy and security concerns, the hybrid cloud architecture will allow PSA to manage, and secure records of registrants in the PhilSys Registry well within the Philippines while providing client-facing PhilSys services and applications on cloud technology. PSA assures that encryption will be applied to all data in transit, and at rest.

“We believe that the hybrid solution ensures seamless and reliable data transmission while maintaining data privacy and security safeguards for on-premise data centers. We want to deliver the best and secured PhilSys to Filipinos and proceeding with the hybrid solution is a major step towards this goal,” Usec. Mapa added.

PSA is on its last stretch of systems procurement in preparation for the start of the first step of registration this October 2020 through the house-to-house collection of demographic data and scheduling of appointments. PSA will prioritize the registration of low-income household heads to PhilSys in the fourth quarter of 2020.

By providing the registrants with a PhilSys Number (PSN) as formal identification that can be digitally verified, the PhilSys will help low-income families open bank accounts, receive remittances, and generate credit histories. This will open new economic opportunities and make low-income families less vulnerable to informal lending practices that charge exorbitant interest rates. This will also allow faster distribution of future government subsidies.

PhilSys also aims to improve the lives of Filipinos by making transactions with the government simple, safe, secure, and seamless, while preserving privacy and enabling a shift to online service delivery as a resilient digital society. PhilSys will abide by the 10 Principles on Identification for Sustainable Development, which have been endorsed by 25 international, regional, and academic organizations.

For further information and official announcements, visit the PhilSys website (www.psa.gov.ph/philsys) or the PhilSys Facebook page (www.facebook.com/PSAPhilSysOfficial/).

-PhilSys Registry Office