(This one would almost be worth a separate category on IT Security Link, called "Politics".)

The marvellous Merlin Hay, 24th Earl of Erroll, spokesman for the House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee's report on personal internet security, gave a speech at a recent event, demanding that "the government should implement a programme of technical legislation and information to tackle the problem of online security breaches".

As short as five years ago I would have strongly disagreed with his viewpoint, and responded (as far as the House of Lords would listen to me, anyway) that the market will take care of the issue.

No more. The market is no more taking care of IT Security than it is taking care of theft or fraud (both favourite activities related to IT Security breaches, by the way). Yes, devices get better, citizens obtain better protection, but it is still necessary to

  • Prevent a race to the bottom in IT Security
  • Protect consumers
  • Prosecute thieves and fraudsters

The only problem I have with this is that I see many governments getting it wrong - trying to legislate against tools rather than intentions, curtailing civil liberties where better investigation would help.

At least the UK re-established their National Hi-Tech Crime Unit. (A rose is a rose by any other name, I say.)

PS. There's a great blog called "Lords of the Blog". Your tax Pounds at work!

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