Testing can save web site own goals

The Euro 2008 web site is being put through its paces in the run up to the competition

Security and availability should be the top priorities for anyone managing a web site, according to the project manager for Uefa.com.

With the Euro 2008 football championships fast approaching the competition's web site has undergone a lot of testing, not least of all in its security protocols

Andy Pattison, project manager for the site, said that Uefa had tackled security testing in two ways, firstly by identifying potential danger areas and testing them, and secondly by working with a white hacker company, an approach that Pattison said was not without its political ramifications.

"We've done a bit of both," he said, "we have to. We've been attacked on a few occasions in the build up the competition, but so far none have been successful. We will continue to be a target, but we have carried out a lot of tests. We will beat them all off."

The site is likely to see a lot of traffic, Pattison said that Uefa was expecting some 1bn visitors over the 30 days that the competition lasts, so keeping the site up is imperative.

In order to ensure as much up time as possible Uefa has worked with its partners ensuring standby support for all the main events, an approach that on paper should work wonders.

"We are quietly confident" says Pattison, "but the proof is in the pudding."