Broadband connections - high-speed and “always on” - are spreading rapidly. Perhaps many people reading this have already joined the broadband generation. However, let’s say that one day you receive an email message saying “Warning! An illegal attempt at intrusion was made from your computer.” The email originates from the US Department of Defence.

Steady improvements to the network environment are bringing with them new dangers. The increasing population of general Internet users without specialist knowledge yet using always-on connections is welcomed by criminals. A computer with lax security controls, like an unlocked apartment, can be used as a springboard to carry out all sorts of clandestine and malicious activities - hacking into the networks of companies and government offices, at home and abroad. Once inside these private networks, they may steal sensitive information, change web pages, destroy systems, commit cyber fraud, distribute copyrighted data, broadcast viruses and worms… the list goes on. This is why society is now facing a rash of network crime.

The situation is serious. With networks playing an increasingly important role for businesses, the number of companies that are falling victim to this kind of crime is increasing exponentially. And it is not just business that is affected: a new menace is the so-called cyber-terrorist aiming to disrupt the networks that support the state and society. If these terrorists were to succeed in attacking essential parts of a country’s IT infrastructure - data communications, finance, traffic, energy, government, and public services - then the damage they could wreak would be immeasurable. Networks have brought with them great benefits to our society, but they have also brought great risks.

Of course, turning back the clock is not an option. Just as we cannot implement a total ban on the use of cars just because of the threat of road accidents and air pollution, we cannot return to a world without networks just because we fear these risks. What is needed now is a clear understanding of the importance of a security infrastructure for a network society. This is something that everyone must appreciate, whether individuals, companies, public services or government agencies. Together everyone must cooperate in finding and implementing safeguards and countermeasures. The battle to protect society has started. And the weapon that is serving us on the front line, you guessed it, encryption.