IEE endorses Foresight project

An Institution of Engineering and Technology product story

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Jun 16, 2004

The IEE is supporting the results of the Office of Science and Technology's Foresight project on cyber trust and crime prevention.

The IEE is supporting the results of the Office of Science and Technology's Foresight project on cyber trust and crime prevention.

Using sound science and imaginative future scenarios, the project considered probable developments in information and communication technologies (ICTs) and explored the challenges the UK needs to face now in order to ensure future public trust in cyber systems and to prevent future cyber crime.

Professor Martyn Thomas, a member of IEE's IT Sector Panel, Council Member of the EPSRC, and a member of the project Advisory Group said: "The next decades will see the start of 'pervasive computing', where computer-based systems interact with every aspect of our lives".

"To realise the benefits of these new systems, we must be able to trust them: to trust that we know what they are doing, and that they will do it safely and reliably; to trust that they cannot be abused by criminals, or violate our privacy; and to trust that they can be developed on time and within planned budgets, so that they do not block planned progress in public services or businesses".

"This Foresight project provides UK Government and business an understanding of what must be done to achieve this trust".

The project brought together experts from diverse disciplines and a range of business, academic and government organisations to identify both the technological and social challenges that might arise in the next 10-15 years.

The IEE played an active role by providing considerable expert advice to the Foresight project team and steering group.

Dr Alf Roberts, Chief Executive of the IEE says: "The IEE is pleased to have collaborated with the Office of Science and Technology on the Foresight cyber trust and crime prevention project".

"The project provides Government and industry with a framework for tackling crime prevention issues and fostering trust in the electronic world".

"IEE members have made significant contributions to both the technological and societal aspects of this project, and will be closely involved in providing the technical solutions".