Broadband is essential, says Europe

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Article http://nl2.vnunet.com/News/1140765

European Commission outlines vision for a 'global information society'


The European Commission has stated that the adoption of broadband and a wider use of security technologies are vital to achieving its e-Europe vision.
The Commission wants to establish by 2005 an environment that will give everybody an opportunity to participate in the "global information society", providing modernised public services, more jobs and greater productivity.

But Andrea Servida, head of sector for the information society unit at the Commission, warned that e-Europe will not be achieved - and certainly not within the timeframe - unless certain technologies are widely adopted.

"There are two main enablers to e-Europe," he told delegates at the recent Infosecurity event.

"One of them is broadband, for which we are trying to develop a coherent framework, and the other is security. We want to develop a culture of security by the end of 2005."

For this culture to exist, citizens and businesses must be educated in the necessity of information security.

"Technology won't fix it all," said Servida. "Technology is an important tool, but we need to develop new ethics and behaviour so that everyone is fully aware of their responsibility in engaging in information security."

The Commission is conducting research into all aspects of security and how to persuade businesses to pay more attention to the subject.

Stephen Marsh, director of the Cabinet Office Central Sponsor for Information Assurance division, pointed out that hype is a dangerous tactic if European and national objectives are to be achieved.

"A lot of the hype over the past few months has been about hacking and a digital Armageddon that will bring the world to its knees," he said.

"Cyber-terrorism is still a threat but we need to be realistic about it, not complacent. The technology is only part of it. Process, culture and education need to be brought in as well."