The Guidelines aim to enable SMEs to have access to easily understandable advice in plain English for developing and implementing an information security policy for web sites and e-business services.
The Guidelines were sponsored by Masons, the international law firm behind OUT-LAW.COM, and the Department of Trade and Industry's UK Online for Business. They have been supported by both consumer and industry groups and represent a significant development in the arena of "good practice." They are intended to work as both a stand alone document and as a companion to the information security management standard BS7799.
OUT-LAW.COM's Jon Fell, a partner of Masons, said:
"Masons is delighted to have been involved in the development of the AEB Web Security Guidelines and to have had the opportunity to sponsor this extremely important initiative. There can be little doubt that on-line security is one of the most important issues facing business today and will become increasingly important as more businesses and government departments and agencies move on-line. The Guidelines give clear, commercial and practical advice on information security to all businesses regardless of their size."
The Guidelines have been developed under the banner of AEB which is a working coalition of five trade associations, comprising the Computing Services & Software Association (CSSA), the Confederation of British Industries (CBI), the Direct Marketing Association (DMA), e-centre and the Federation of the Electronic Industries (FEI).