Network Security is turning to be a key primacy since communication and information have developed into a key feature in economic and societal growth.
Unauthorised access into computer and computer networks is usually done with malicious intend to copy, modify or destroy data.
Disruptive attacks on the Internet have become quite common and in future the telephone network may also become more vulnerable.
Malicious software, such as viruses, can disable computers, delete or modify data.
Some recent virus attacks have been awfully disparaging and expensive.
Caricature of people or entities can cause substantial damages, e.g. customers may download malicious software from a website camouflaged as a trusted source, contracts may be repudiated, confidential information may be sent to the wrong persons.
Many security incidents are due to unexpected and accidental proceedings such as natural disasters e.g. floods, storms, earthquakes (Random error), hardware or software failures (instrumental error), human error (personal error).
The proposed measures for prevention are:
Awareness raising: A public information and education campaign should be launched and best practices should be promoted.
A European warning and information system: Member States should strengthen their them. The Commission will examine together with Member States how to best organise at European level data collection, analysis and planning of forward-looking responses to existing and emerging security threats.
Technology support: Support for research and development in security should be a key element in the 6th Framework Programme and be linked to the broader strategy for improved network and information security.
Support for market oriented standardisation and certification: European
standardisation organisations are invited to accelerate work on interoperability; Commission will continue support for electronic signature and the further development of IPv6 and IPSec, Commission will assess the need for a legal initiative on the mutual recognition of certificates, Member States should review all relevant security standards.
Legal framework: The Commission will set up an inventory of national measures which have been taken in accordance with relevant Community law. Member States to support free circulation of encryption products. Commission will propose legislation on cybercrime.
Security in government use: Member States should incorporate effective an interoperable security solutions in their e-government and e-procurement activities. Member States should introduce electronic signatures when offering public services. The Commission will strengthen its security requirements in their information and communication system.
International co-operation: The Commission will reinforce the dialogue with international organisations and partners on network and information security.
Asia Pacific Advanced Network (APAN):
APAN (Asia Pacific Advanced Network) is a non-profit international group instituted on 3 June 1997. APAN is designed to be a high-performance network for research and development on advanced next generation applications and services.
APAN provides an advanced networking environment for the research and education community in the Asia-Pacific region, and promotes global collaboration. The main objectives are (1) to coordinate and promote R&D activities on networking including technology, applications and services, (2) to provide an advanced networkingenvironment for research and education communities in the Asia-Pacific region.
In order to carry the APAN's mission, APAN will put efforts on (1) collaboration with regional and domestic organizations in Asia-Pacific, (2) collaboration with other regions (Africa, Americas, and Europe) to provide global advanced network environment and to facilitate research and education activities, (3) expansion of APAN user communities to include various research disciplines, and non-research communities. (APAN KISDI, 2004, p.1)
Whilst, the formation and progress of a widespread advanced network
infrastructure proposes the region extraordinary prospects for the communication of information, education and research, SALSA initiatives, homeland security, VoIP security, secure ad hoc collaboration, balancing security and performance, and the national strategy to secure cyberspace.
According to Ward , Robert Prieto, chairman of New York City-based civil engineering firm Parsons Brinckerhoffrieto suggests that any system must be able to respond and adapt to a disaster in following three ways:
-Resist - system must be able to resist when loaded beyond its design basis, to fail in as safe a way as possible.
-Respond –system when stressed beyond its point of resistance must be able to be reconfigured to allow some function to occur.
-Recover –system must be able to be repaired or rebuilt following total failure. It is this phase that covers ‘a host of considerations’ including a vision that allows rebuilding with improved reliability, capacity and flexibility to cope with diverse and unpredictable future challenges. Such features of flexibility and coping with unpredictable future challenges are those exhibited by adaptive systems. (Ulieru and Worthington, 2004, p.1)
