A secure framework for SMS-based service delivery in m-government using a multicast encryption scheme

Abstract

The use of mobile devices has revolutionised the world. Their affordability, high availability and usage convenience could transform the current governance to mobile government. However, in literature, the existing m-government architecture in Africa does not adequately consider security in its feature. This paper proposes a framework for mobile government using SMS as a tool, which is considered affordable, reliable and secure for Nigerian government. The adoptable framework has four major components, namely: m-government administration, security/privacy, m-services and m-participation/trust. A secure platform for this SMS transmission based on multicast encryption system is presented with some policies to guide its adoption. A prototype of the proposed design is implemented on a peer-peer platform in order to display the uniqueness of the framework. To examine the readiness of the population for its adoption in Nigeria, this paper analyses the use of the technological acceptance model. Seventy questionnaires were administered to citizens, measuring their responses to perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), attitudes towards usage (ATU) and behavioural intention to use (BIU) the mobile system. The results of the study indicated that citizens’ PEOU had a significant influence on ATU. Subsequently, PEOU had the strongest significant influence on PU. From data analysis, 95% of the respondents indicated a usability acceptance.