Online security 'oversold' in 2001

A sharp drop in investment in business-to-business activity following the US terrorist attacks has confirmed fears that online security services have been "oversold" throughout 2001, writes Alan Osborn. That is the firm belief of delegates who attended the recent Information Security Solutions Conference, held in Westminster, central London.

The conference – organised by the European Forum for Electronic Business (EEMA) – was overshadowed by the new and burgeoning climate for Internet security following President Bush's declaration of "electronic war" against terrorism. E-commerce minister Douglas Alexander stressed that events Stateside have "placed a new and intense focus on how we approach data security."

It also emerged that the European Union's ambition to become the world leader in e-commerce is in danger of being held back by the failure of member states to adopt the European Electronic Signature Directive.

Germany is the only nation that has adopted the policy to date.