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Abstract-e-Government maturity models (eGMMs) lack security services (technical and socio/non-technical) in its critical maturity stages. The paper proposes a comprehensive framework for integrating IT security services into eGMM critical stages. The proposed framework is a result of integrating information security maturity model (ISMM) critical levels into e-government maturity model (eGMM) critical stages. The research utilizes Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) of scientific inquiry adopted from Checkland and Scholes. The paper contributes to the theoretical and empirical knowledge in the following ways: firstly, it introduces a new approach that shows how government's can progressively secure their e-government services; secondly, it outlines the security requirements (technical and non-technical) for critical maturity stages of eGMM; and thirdly, it enhances awareness and understanding to the governments and stakeholders such as practitioners, experts and citizens on the importance of security requirements being clearly defined within eGMM critical stages.

E-Government offers many benefits to government agencies, citizens and the business community. However, e-Government services are prone to current and emerging security challenges posing potential threats to critical information assets. Securing it appears to be a major challenge facing governments globally. Based on the international security standards – the paper thoroughly investigates and analyzes eleven e-government maturity models (eGMMs) for security services. Further, it attempts to establish a common frame of reference for eGMM critical stages. The study utilizes the Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) of scientific inquiry/ learning cycle adopted from Checkland and Scholes. The findings show that security services (technical and non-technical) are lacking in eGMMs – implying that eGMMs were designed to measure more quantity of offered e-government services than the quality of security services. Therefore, as a step towards achieving secure e-government services the paper proposes a common frame of reference for eGMM with five critical stages. These stages will later be extended to include the required security services.