They provide over 200 industrial products. He was attending the meeting to get a better approach in recognizing what the Commonwealth's model of security architecture was. Cheryl Clark gave a brief overview of the E-Gov99' Conference and the May COT's meeting. In the May COT's meeting, Secretary Upson stated his desire to develop a standard policy on digital signatures. There was discussion of all participates on what the work groups ideas were on the levels of authorization to ensure trust and a secure architectural environment.
Work group needs to identify what the spectrum of security is needed before developing standards.
Dan Houlihan stated that it might be to the work group's advantage to look at the tools and make recommendations to develop the standards. There are 10-12 standards for digital signatures, with particular advantages and disadvantages of each. There is a need to look at the legal issues using the technology, setting an environment where businesses are willing to implement the technology. The work group needs to review and work out every detail in advance, with the incorporated comments from the business community, before submitting any recommendations to COTs. Most importantly, who holds the root certificate and identifying any software and hardware which will have to be invented.