Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1100407
04.04.19 17 FINANCIAL SERVICES THE Malta Digital Innova- tion Authority (MDIA), in a world first, has today, issued the accreditation of the first Systems Auditors (SAs) which applied for registration. The approved systems auditors will be listed on the official website of MDIA. The accreditation of SAs will serve as a seal of approval that certifies that they are fit and proper, and has the necessary technical skills, aptitude, ca- pability as well as experience, to handle systems audits re- lated to Innovative Technolo- gy Arrangements (ITAs). A SA is a service provider under the Innovative Tech- nology Arrangements and Services (ITAS) Act. Accred- ited Systems Auditors will carry out system reviews and will come up with an opinion on the management, security and functional correctness of ITAs. The SAs must abide by the guidelines and control ob- jectives which are published by the MDIA. These objectives have been designed with the aim to as- sist the SA through an Audit Framework for ITAs. Furthermore, they build upon five key principles, being: security, processing integrity, availability, confi- dentiality and protection of personal data. It is through such certifi- cation by MDIA, which al- though not mandatory on the applicant, that a new service to operators is being provid- ed, giving them the additional peace of mind and a certifi- cate from a legislatively rec- ognised European central au- thority. The opinion of the Systems Auditors is key for the MDIA to issue certification to ITAs. ITA applicants may approach the MDIA, on a voluntary ba- sis, to certify their products to promote them to the world that they are fit for purpose and meeting the standards of the MDIA, an authority that is a first of its kind. Through certification the Authority aims to foster saf- er usage and protect users of innovative technology and thus more adoption, whilst at the same time increasing the prospects for investment in innovative technology and therefore, creating solid op- portunity. Stephen McCarthy, CEO of the MDIA, commented that "this is another step in posi- tioning Malta at the forefront of technological innovation and in creating a "cutting edge hub" for digital econo- my. MDIA will play an impor- tant role in instilling trust and certainty in systems governed by innovative technology. Whilst today we are listing the first SAs, in the coming weeks we will be issuing fur- ther accredited SAs once we ascertain that pending appli- cations are fully in line with the guidelines we have issued in November. This is surely another milestone for Malta as the blockchain island". MDIA issues the first accreditation of ITA systems auditors MDIA will play an important role in instilling trust and certainty in systems governed by innovative technology MDIA CEO Steve McCarthy Raising funds on crowdfunding platform Zaar.com.mt –http:// www.zaar.com.mt/projects/eco-market-malta/ Target: €8,000 Funds donated to date: €6,850+ Eco Market aims to gather funds to hold a monthly eco-friendly market consisting of vendors selling fresh or- ganic produce, natural food and snacks, ethical fashion, toys and housewares, natural and non-toxic personal care prod- ucts, arts and crafts, innovative technologies and more. e goal behind Eco Market - which is a not-for-profit so- cial enterprise - is to help assist a smooth transition to a more sustainable lifestyle, making people more conscious of their daily habits, particularly regarding what they buy and what they throw away. e team behind it has also partnered up with several NGOs and other organisations to bring info booths, talks, workshops and activities to the monthly event. Social gath- erings, music, art and entertainment are on the agenda, too. e team behind Eco Market have a number of collabora- tors, including BirdLife Malta, Friends of the Earth Malta, Nature Trust Malta and e Gaia Foundation. e project is supported by Heritage Malta and the Sliema and Valletta local councils. This week's crowdfunding project shout-out Eco Market JOCELINE Caruana, M.Acc, MIA, Cert.Tax, CPA, has been appointed as a new di- rector of Fairwinds Manage- ment Limited, a corporate service provider based in B'Kara, bringing extensive hands-on experience to the company. Caruana, an accountant and tax specialist, joined the company in 2014 and has ever since been instrumen- tal in growing the compa- ny and the team Fairwinds Management, together with Founder and CEO, Adri- an Sciberras, FCCA, MIA, CPA, LL.B.(Hons)(Melit.) and director Charlene Sci- berras, B.A. (Hons). Caruana has been head- ing the corporate team for the past years, gradually in- creasing the level of services in order to expand the com- pany. "It is a pleasure for me to take on this new position and continue grow the com- pany with a steady pace," she said. Speaking about Caruana's appointment, Adrian and Charlene Sciberras they were excited to welcome her into their board of directors. "We believe that her ex- pertise and commitment to the company will be a great asset." Fairwinds Management Limited is a corporate ser- vices provider offering worldwide incorporation services, company mainte- nance services, tax compli- ance, administrative servic- es and accounting. It forms part of the Busi- ness Concept Internal plc Group of Companies. For more info please vis- it www.fairwindsmanage- ment.net. Fairwinds Management Limited appoints new Director Joceline Caruana