Industry news

Govt plans don't convince vendors

Security vendors are not so sure about the government's new plans to log all communications through a proposed central database, it has been reported.

The government plans to use the database to log all emails, telephone calls, text messages and websites visited by UK citizens, according to Computerworlduk.

But vendors have warned against the idea, with PGP Corporation's Jamie Cowper saying that the public's confidence is still "in tatters" after the recent string of high-profile data losses by government departments.

"Surely it would be more logical to initially focus on fixing the existing databases and proving their security before introducing new ones?" he added.

The chief security architect at Citrix, Chris Mayers, believes building a central database will never be able to uphold national security and protect the public like the government claims.

"A centralised database merely magnifies the security and privacy risk - and associated costs of strict safeguards," he remarked.

Meanwhile, the assistant Information Commissioner Jonathan Bamford warned against the plans yesterday, saying the recent losses by the government are a cause for concern.