Using e-commerce with authority

Business transactions over the Internet will gain greater certainty as the result of groundbreaking research detailed in two e-commerce reports commissioned by the National Electronic Authentication Council (NEAC), Australia's Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Richard Alston, said today.

'The Government recognises that dependable and secure e-commerce transactions and a certain legal environment are essential to conducting business online in both the public and private sector,' Senator Alston said.

'In order to maintain and build on Australia's high ranking in terms of Internet usage and information economy rankings we must further encourage the uptake of e-commerce.

'The reports launched today - Legal liability and e-transactions and E-commerce security - bring much needed clarity to the issue of online security and online legal issues.'

'For e-commerce to grow, consumers, business and government alike, must be confident that they are operating in a secure environment. These reports make useful recommendations to the NEAC for further developing B2B e-commerce in Australia.'

Legal liability and e-transactions is a scoping study about the legal liability of electronic authentication transactions. It identifies and assesses liability issues in the use of various electronic authentication systems, particularly public key infrastructure (PKI).

E-commerce security is a scoping study covering the standards and authentication technologies used to secure electronic transactions.

'The effective use of e-commerce solutions can streamline procurement processes, and achieve large cost savings for Australian business,' Senator Alston said.

NEAC was established in 1999 by the Commonwealth Government to oversee the development of a national framework for the electronic authentication of online transactions-providing advice to government, industry and consumers on authentication issues and encouraging the development of relevant standards.

Copies of the publication are available online at www.noie.gov.au or by calling (00612) 6271 1786.

See also www.australia.org.nz

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