Hisham Siraj Hammami is the current chief information officer (CIO) in the information technology department of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. He is also a senior adviser to the minister of Hajj and Umrah.  Hammami is responsible for upgrading and updating the organization’s data centers and networks.  He also works on completely automating all business processes, and building the E-government strategic plan, and managing and reorganizing the IT (information technology)department. Before taking up that position, Hammami served as IT  security manager at Banaja Holdings.  Hammami has expertise in network design, implementation, administration, and security, project management, and computer forensics.  He is also a qualified Cyberoam-certified network and security professional as well as an optika imaging system certified technician. Hammami has participated in many global technology events, conferences and forums in Saudi Arabia and abroad related to digital transformation, and technology solutions and innovations.  The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s information technology department is providing technical solutions to help pilgrims during their stay in Makkah. Hammami told Arab News that all internal data center and communications infrastructure serving pilgrims from within the Kingdom were upgraded this year.  He said that customers had the chance to evaluate the packages earlier this year and the reservation process for obtaining Hajj permits have been eased.  An updated version of the Manasikana application to help pilgrims and visitors was launched this year. It supports eight languages.