The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications is considering adopting a national single internet gateway (SIG) system in a bid to optimise network management and online security in the country.
An internet gateway is a network ‘node’, which connects two different networks together. An SIG, installed at a national level, would bring all networks seeking to connect with other networks in Cambodia through a single gateway.
The gateway itself can perform a variety of tasks, such as filtering traffic, proxies or protocol translations. It is also often combined with firewalls which keep out unwanted traffic.
Ministry spokesman Im Vutha told The Post on Monday that a national SIG would create a one-stop system for bringing all overseas internet connections through a single port. This would allow optimal network management.
“This is a national project to create a common internet gateway in Cambodia. Now more than ever, the management of the internet has to be safe and secure for general use.
“Currently, there are a lot of gateways, such as VoIP, telecommunications and submarine cable networks. We are looking at finding a way to change this into a single national port to ensure we can control internet usage, and make it safer and more secure,” he said.
Vutha said the SIG is required due to the increasing number of people accessing the internet, which can have both positive and negative consequences.
He said a SIG will help to prevent people from getting into online scams and prevent the use of the internet which could threaten the defence of national security, custom and tradition.
On Friday, the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Tram Iv Tek led an inter-ministerial meeting to discuss the feasibility study of the single internet gateway. He confirmed that a national task force would be formed to access SIG options.
The meeting also discussed Prime Minister Hun Sen’s recommendations on February 17, during which he urged the relevant ministries to block all social media account holders who post content or live videos with revealing dresses, which he said affected Cambodian women’s dignity.
The ministry’s Facebook post said the meeting also highlighted the collaboration between it, the Ministry of Economy and Finance and relevant ministries on procedures to manage and register an online business.
