Havana, July 4 (RHC)-- As part of the state´s efforts to organize the range, security and use of Information and Communications technologies (TICs) in the country, several decrees and legal norms are entering into force this Thursday, reports Cubadebate Portal.

The documents are part of the “Comprehensive Policy for the improvement of the Computerization of the Cuban Society,” and were published on the latest edition of the Official Gazette.

Among other issues, they regulate the development of the software and computer applications industry, the establishment of the security of TICs and the defense of national cyberspace.

The new guidelines provide for the protection of personal data on electronic devices, and establish for the first time the validity of the use of digital signatures for institutions. They also instruct the mandatory use by state entities of the Segurmatica antivirus software and prioritizing the use of Cuban-made open source applications.

One of the decrees encourages the development of the software and computer application industry seeking to promote, improve and increase national creation of such products, and provides for the participation in this effort of state and private entities.

The documents also establish guidelines for the boosting of electronic government and commerce on the island.