The Cayman Islands is planning on rolling out a National

Identification System come 2021.

The island’s Minister of Commerce, Joey Hew

made the announcement while speaking at a COVID-19 press briefing

recently.

Hew said that the recent COVID-19 pandemic

highlighted the need for the system.

“While we have benefitted significantly from the

efforts to date with our existing online services, we have become more aware of

major opportunities or gaps whichever way you want to look at

it, particularly in the digital sphere, a key one being the absence of a national

identification system,” Hew said.

He revealed that the e-commerce team within his

ministry had already started working on the system which he said would be

completed by the second quarter of 2021.

However, Hew noted that there were necessary

first steps that would need to be completed before the roll-out, which includes

the completion of the population register and supporting

legislation.

Hew said the population register was on track to be

launched in the fourth quarter of this year.

The minister went on to explain that the population register would be

crucial to providing accurate identity information.

He said that the register would allow all government entities to check

basic information at the source instead of requiring individuals to provide the

information which the government already holds.

“Going forward, there will be services for residents to view their

personal data. Request updates on their personal data at a very high level

and share access to specific elements of their personal data, ” added Hew.

Hew said the team was currently in the procurement phase of securing a  comprehensive suite of services, equipment, software, and support in relation to the national ID system.