Government failing to support ebusiness

UK companies are not satisfied with the government's support for ebusiness and online security, according to research by InterClear.

The security firm surveyed delegates at the recent IQPC Electronic Signature Summit and found that 80 per cent did not think the government was doing enough to promote online security in the UK.

Simon Lofthouse, InterClear's head of marketing, said that the government had set targets to promote internet use, deliver online services, and support ebusiness, but delegates questioned the government's ability to do those things successfully.

InterClear asked delegates how the government should promote e-security. Eighty per cent of respondents said the government should do more to educate its own staff, other organisations and the public on IT security, while 56 per cent said that new laws were necessary to support ebusiness and ecommerce transactions.

Lofthouse explained that there is "a misunderstanding of the legality of ebusiness" and that companies are often unaware that ecommerce is governed by contract law, and that e-signatures are binding. "Ebusiness is exactly the same as physical business; it is just delivered in a different way," he said.

Other experts maintained that the government should improve its own online security.

Erkki Liikanen, the European commissioner responsible for Enterprise and Information Society, said: "Governments should be leading the way by promoting the use of technology, e-health and so forth.

"They must show they are up to the task of using technology themselves, by using e-signatures and security solutions."