This issue gives readers an overview of the additional security features, including digital signing, visible watermarks on printouts and enhanced audit trail, all of which have been incorporated into PICS II.

 

 

In addition to the conventional paper signature, officers are given an alternative to choose to use e-certificate in their smart warrant cards to digitally sign various types of staff reports, such as Annual Report Form(ARF), Promotion Report Form, Mid-year Reviews/Reports for Probationers in PICS II.  In the e-signing process, officers will place their smart warrant cards on the card readers being distributed by Information Systems Wing and enter their six-digit passwords for electronic signing and verification process.  These e-signed reports are in compliance with the legal requirements under the Electronic Transactions Ordinance and will have the same legal status as the paper-signed reports.  Once e-signed ARF, printed copies are still required.

 

 

PICS II printouts will be embedded with visible watermarks, which include a date/time stamp and the person and place in order to protect the physical security of the printed documents from PICS II. 

 

 

To enhance the stringent security control of the system and its data security, PICS II will ensure data access on an authorised basis and will provide audit trail functions for random auditing on a monthly basis.

 

 

PICS II is scheduled for Force-wide launch on July 15. All outstanding Annual Report Forms and Transfer Out Report Forms should be completed by July 11 after which the current PICS will be suspended and new templates will be provided in PICS II.  Check out upcoming NoticeBoard Messages or visit Manpower Planning Division website for more information.