The Czech government has switched the Citizen Identity Portal (Portál Identity občana) to the gov.cz domain to improve the security of state online services. The measure is a response to the growing threat of cyberattacks and fake websites, which increase, especially in the run-up to Christmas.
The Citizen Identity Portal (Portál Identity občana) was switched to the gov.cz domain over the weekend. The Digital and Information Agency (DIA) accelerated this move due to the increasing number of fake websites, a spokesperson for the agency told the media. The citizens’ portal (Portál občana) and the public administration portal (Portál veřejné správy) are already available under the gov.cz domain.
According to the agency, the pre-Christmas period traditionally sees an increase in cyberattacks and fraudulent links to fake websites. These often appear in search engine results, text messages, and emails sent by criminals.
The switch to the new domain is intended to provide users with a safer cyber environment. However, the agency will allow the original and new domains to operate in parallel for a transitional period to give digital service providers sufficient time to set up the new domain in their systems and inform their users. In the meantime, existing links will be automatically redirected to the new domain.
The DIA continues to ask users to carefully check the links or addresses they use to access portals. The only correct addresses are:
It is recommended to save these links on computers or smartphones and not to open links to these sites from internet search engine ads, text messages, or emails of unknown origin.
