After about six months in which the authority for managing the biometric database operated without a permanent director: Interior Minister Aryeh Deri appointed Atzmon Minas, a Haredi, resident of Bnei Brak, as head of the authority for managing the biometric database.
The appointment was unanimously approved by the Civil Service Commission's search committee.
The Biometric Authority is an independent authority within the Ministry of the Interior, and its purpose is to establish, manage, and secure the biometric data database, which is used to support the Population Authority's system for issuing identity cards and smart passports.
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Atzmon Mins, 55, was appointed to the position in light of his rich and professional record as VP of Technology and Information Systems at leading Israeli companies in the economy, such as Isracard, Visa, Amidar, as well as his military service as a programmer and logistics systems analyst in the Air Force, among others.
A senior figure in the high-tech world told Haredim 10 this evening: "This is a true tzaddik. His daughters study at the 'Wolf' seminary. This man is considered perhaps the most senior IT person in the State of Israel, and he is 'just a Haredi from Bnei Brak.'".
Interior Minister Deri welcomed the appointment: "This is a worthy and professional person, with a first-rate professional record. I am convinced that Atzmon Minnes will catapult forward the issue of securing the biometric database, which is about to bring about a positive revolution in the field of identity cards and smart passports in the State of Israel.".
The Digital Rights Movement's legal advisor, Attorney Jonathan Klinger, said in response: "It is sad to see that it took six months to fill the position and only now, after the Digital Rights Movement's application to the joint committee and a week before the database begins operating - has a chairman of the authority been appointed.".
Klinger added: "In the week leading up to the start of activity in the database, will the new head of the authority have enough time to familiarize himself with the work, refresh the information security procedures, finish receiving the keys and start working? Highly doubtful.".
