Individuals consider security important in the context of protecting and preserving privacy.
Banks require protection against unauthorized transactions.
Institutions require protection from unauthorized use of their assets. Government protects information at many different levels, ranging from personal data required in the administration of programs to national security information. All of these users are interested in preserving the security of their information. To provide security requires an assessment of the needs of these diverse communities. It also requires an objective assessment of the technologies available to play this role.