MDIA, that is, the Malta Digital Innovation Authority, was established in 2018 to encourage the uptake of innovative technology, particularly newly deployed solutions, whilst ensuring that such technologies are deployed in line with recognised standards through its certification program, to provide technological assurance to a wide variety of stakeholders such as investors developers, solution users and the general public.
MDIA’s new flagship utility is the MDIA-TAS (Technology Assurance Sandbox) and is intended to guide solution owners throughout a residency of at most two years, as they align their solution with established Control Objectives based on international standards, in a phased and gradual approach. At the end of each phase an independent third-party technical assessment is conducted by a selected MDIA-authorised Systems Auditor (or an MDIA recognised Technical Expert as per conditions in latest Sandbox Program Guidelines), until applicant is in line with all Control Objectives and/or proposed Milestones. It is always recommended that the latest Guideline Document is referred to for up-to-date superseding information about Sandbox. After a defined number of assessments, Applicant will be in a position to obtain the full MDIA certification – indicating that the solution provides technological assurances for various stakeholders, including users and investors.