Difference between revisions of "CBI: eBusiness, Data Protection and ID Cards"
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| + | === eBusiness === | ||
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The CBI's eBusiness Group strives to help build UK competitiveness in the UK economy by ensuring that the UK government and international bodies that set policy and regulatory frameworks in the new economy understand the potential and needs of UK businesses. The Group works to its objectives by running an e-Business Council drawn from CBI members in all sectors to provide a voice for business as a whole, not just the technology sector, on developments in the new economy, and is therefore authoritative with Government, the media and the business world.<ref>CBI[http://www.cbi.org.uk/ndbs/content.nsf/b80e12d0cd1cd37c802567bb00491cbf/79A2CF412FF0DB3180256BA5003980A3?OpenDocument] CBI, Saturday February 23 2008</ref> The CBI e-Business Council’s aim is to identify ways in which electronic forms of business can help companies to innovate, raise productivity, increase competitiveness and gain higher value from product and service offerings. The council brings together people committed to building UK innovation, growth and economic competitiveness from a wide range of different sectors including executives from telecoms, IT, media and service integrator suppliers; as well as Government policymakers.<ref>CBI[http://http://www.cbi.org.uk/ndbs/content.nsf/b80e12d0cd1cd37c802567bb00491cbf/39D396803C96C05E80256BA50039377F?OpenDocument] CBI, Saturday August 23 2008</ref> | The CBI's eBusiness Group strives to help build UK competitiveness in the UK economy by ensuring that the UK government and international bodies that set policy and regulatory frameworks in the new economy understand the potential and needs of UK businesses. The Group works to its objectives by running an e-Business Council drawn from CBI members in all sectors to provide a voice for business as a whole, not just the technology sector, on developments in the new economy, and is therefore authoritative with Government, the media and the business world.<ref>CBI[http://www.cbi.org.uk/ndbs/content.nsf/b80e12d0cd1cd37c802567bb00491cbf/79A2CF412FF0DB3180256BA5003980A3?OpenDocument] CBI, Saturday February 23 2008</ref> The CBI e-Business Council’s aim is to identify ways in which electronic forms of business can help companies to innovate, raise productivity, increase competitiveness and gain higher value from product and service offerings. The council brings together people committed to building UK innovation, growth and economic competitiveness from a wide range of different sectors including executives from telecoms, IT, media and service integrator suppliers; as well as Government policymakers.<ref>CBI[http://http://www.cbi.org.uk/ndbs/content.nsf/b80e12d0cd1cd37c802567bb00491cbf/39D396803C96C05E80256BA50039377F?OpenDocument] CBI, Saturday August 23 2008</ref> | ||
| − | + | === ID Cards === | |
Business leaders are backing ID cards despite having concerns about the details of government proposals on the issue. The CBI says the cards could help in combating fraud and bring social and economic benefits for business and individuals. It is concerned however that companies will be left to "carry the can" if information on cards is wrong. | Business leaders are backing ID cards despite having concerns about the details of government proposals on the issue. The CBI says the cards could help in combating fraud and bring social and economic benefits for business and individuals. It is concerned however that companies will be left to "carry the can" if information on cards is wrong. | ||
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::“Greater clarity on the functionality is needed. At the moment, there is no way of knowing how much biometric information will be included in the system and how much interoperability there will be with existing private sector identity management systems.” But he believes that once firms have this information and a clear timeline for the scheme they can start planning their own ID management projects. | ::“Greater clarity on the functionality is needed. At the moment, there is no way of knowing how much biometric information will be included in the system and how much interoperability there will be with existing private sector identity management systems.” But he believes that once firms have this information and a clear timeline for the scheme they can start planning their own ID management projects. | ||
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| + | === Data Protection === | ||
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In 2007, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) received 24,000 enquiries and complaints about personal information. It found that a breach had occurred in 35% of cases from a number of firms and government departments. This prompted a call from the Information Commissioner, Richard Thomas, for greater powers to check on how companies protect personnel data. According to Thomas: | In 2007, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) received 24,000 enquiries and complaints about personal information. It found that a breach had occurred in 35% of cases from a number of firms and government departments. This prompted a call from the Information Commissioner, Richard Thomas, for greater powers to check on how companies protect personnel data. According to Thomas: | ||
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::'My message to those at the top of organisations is to respect the privacy of individuals and the integrity of the information held about them. We have seen far too many careless and inexcusable breaches."<ref>Personnel Today[http://www.personneltoday.com/articles/2007/07/16/41519/information+commissioner+wants+more+power+to+protect+personal+information.html] Personnel Today, July 16 2007</ref> | ::'My message to those at the top of organisations is to respect the privacy of individuals and the integrity of the information held about them. We have seen far too many careless and inexcusable breaches."<ref>Personnel Today[http://www.personneltoday.com/articles/2007/07/16/41519/information+commissioner+wants+more+power+to+protect+personal+information.html] Personnel Today, July 16 2007</ref> | ||
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The CBI however rejected his message, with the head of e-business policy [[Jeremy Beale]] insisting: | The CBI however rejected his message, with the head of e-business policy [[Jeremy Beale]] insisting: | ||
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::"By calling for the ability to inspect firms' files without consent, the information commissioner is in danger of leading businesses into the very surveillance society he [has warned against]."<ref>Personnel Today[http://www.personneltoday.com/articles/2007/07/16/41519/information+commissioner+wants+more+power+to+protect+personal+information.html] Personnel Today, July 16 2007</ref> | ::"By calling for the ability to inspect firms' files without consent, the information commissioner is in danger of leading businesses into the very surveillance society he [has warned against]."<ref>Personnel Today[http://www.personneltoday.com/articles/2007/07/16/41519/information+commissioner+wants+more+power+to+protect+personal+information.html] Personnel Today, July 16 2007</ref> | ||
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The Ministry of Justice, which is responsible for overseeing the ICO, sided with businesses. It claimed that the commissioner already has adequate powers. | The Ministry of Justice, which is responsible for overseeing the ICO, sided with businesses. It claimed that the commissioner already has adequate powers. | ||
Revision as of 15:14, 23 February 2008
Contents
eBusiness
The CBI's eBusiness Group strives to help build UK competitiveness in the UK economy by ensuring that the UK government and international bodies that set policy and regulatory frameworks in the new economy understand the potential and needs of UK businesses. The Group works to its objectives by running an e-Business Council drawn from CBI members in all sectors to provide a voice for business as a whole, not just the technology sector, on developments in the new economy, and is therefore authoritative with Government, the media and the business world.[1] The CBI e-Business Council’s aim is to identify ways in which electronic forms of business can help companies to innovate, raise productivity, increase competitiveness and gain higher value from product and service offerings. The council brings together people committed to building UK innovation, growth and economic competitiveness from a wide range of different sectors including executives from telecoms, IT, media and service integrator suppliers; as well as Government policymakers.[2]
ID Cards
Business leaders are backing ID cards despite having concerns about the details of government proposals on the issue. The CBI says the cards could help in combating fraud and bring social and economic benefits for business and individuals. It is concerned however that companies will be left to "carry the can" if information on cards is wrong.
CBI deputy director-general John Cridland insists:
- Companies want ID cards to be a universal identity-authentication system. But they are concerned the government has not appreciated the dangers of driving through a vague and insufficiently thought-out plan.[3]
The Home Office wants ID cards carrying biometric data, such as fingerprints and iris scans, made compulsory by 2013.
Jeremy Beale, head of e-business policy at the CBI added:
- “Greater clarity on the functionality is needed. At the moment, there is no way of knowing how much biometric information will be included in the system and how much interoperability there will be with existing private sector identity management systems.” But he believes that once firms have this information and a clear timeline for the scheme they can start planning their own ID management projects.
Data Protection
In 2007, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) received 24,000 enquiries and complaints about personal information. It found that a breach had occurred in 35% of cases from a number of firms and government departments. This prompted a call from the Information Commissioner, Richard Thomas, for greater powers to check on how companies protect personnel data. According to Thomas:
- 'My message to those at the top of organisations is to respect the privacy of individuals and the integrity of the information held about them. We have seen far too many careless and inexcusable breaches."[4]
The CBI however rejected his message, with the head of e-business policy Jeremy Beale insisting:
- "By calling for the ability to inspect firms' files without consent, the information commissioner is in danger of leading businesses into the very surveillance society he [has warned against]."[5]
The Ministry of Justice, which is responsible for overseeing the ICO, sided with businesses. It claimed that the commissioner already has adequate powers.
