Online Security: Still far from reality?

The Era of E-Business began in the 1990's. Web-based Information systems became more available due to increase in computing power and the decline in the cost of computer technology.

Almost twenty years after, the most important concerns people have about e-business and online transactions remains the same-security. Sensitive data, such as credit cards, telephone numbers and passwords may be transmitted and intercepted by skilled computer experts. Without reliable security measures, many people are reluctant to conduct their businesses through the Web, adding to this is the financial troubles that have swept the world since late last year.

A major concern with the Internet pertains to the identity of users. It is very easy for a person to pretend to be someone else on the Internet. There are even robots or software that can regenerate identities within the web. And even if a person can be identified, it is often not possible to do business without some sort of signature. Already, governments are starting to provide legal frameworks to allow the creation of standardized digital signatures and certificates. But the trust and confidence with the technology is not yet there.

Organizations and individuals who use computers outlines their needs for information security and trust through five major qualifications: confidentiality, integrity, availability, legitimate use and non-repudiation. Confidentiality is necessary to limit and isolate those who get to read the information and to conceal information from all others. Integrity has to do with information being changed only in a specified and authorized manner and assurance that the data is genuine or authentic and not altered during transit. Availability pertains to enabling authorized users to have continued access to information and resources in a timely manner. Legitimate use means that resources cannot be used by non-authorized persons or in an unauthorized way.