ACS establishes e-security taskforce

The Australian Computer Society (ACS) has formed an E-Security Task Force, with the aim of taking a leadership role in the development of policy proposals for e-security and ISP filtering.

Comprised of various experts, ACS chairman Kumar Parakala said the Task Force will provide advice and review policy proposals regarding these issues, which he says “are of critical importance to the safety and security of Australian ICT infrastructure, on-line business models and internet users.”

“The growth of the digital economy is crucial to Australia’s economic success, and e-security underpins this growth,” said Parakala. “Our e-security outcomes must strike a balance between ensuring appropriate levels of online safety and security without stifling business and ICT innovation and use.”

Lead by Macquarie computing professor Vijay Varadharajan, the Task Force will meet for the first time next Wednesday, with the federal government’s recent announcement of a pilot trial of ISP-level filtering expected to be a hot issue.

“We think it’s appropriate that industry and Government collaborate on initiatives to develop comprehensive but realistic options that protect Australian infrastructure, businesses and the public,” said Varadharajan.