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New research prepared on behalf of the Technology Strategy Board by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP highlights how identity and trust will be universal themes that will pervade all other drivers of change in the information security environment over the next decade. 

The research also suggests that organisations should take a holistic approach to information security and not overlook the needs and concerns of people while adapting their systems to cope with rapidly changing threats and technology.

As fewer interactions are face-to-face, more private information is available online and new technologies make it easier to impersonate individuals, the report - ˜Revolution or Evolution“ Information Security 2020 - identifies seven key trends that are likely to drive change relating to technology and changing patterns in how people use it.

As people spend more time online and as e-commerce and m-commerce (mobile commerce) continue to grow, the research suggests that new authentication methods are likely to proliferate in the future and these will demand multifactor verification.  These solutions may raise the security hurdle but are unlikely to solve the problem entirely and need to take account of the privacy and consent of the user in their design.

Andrew Tyrer, who heads the Technology Strategy Board's Information Security activities, said:

"The research throws trust and identity up as key drivers of change in information security over the next decade.  Current models primarily look at human to human trust.  But with greater connectivity, there is an increasing need for humans to trust technology, technology to trust technology, and even technology to trust humans as devices increasingly act on behalf of individuals".

Neil Hampson, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, said:

"By 2020, there will be greater connectivity between people and devices.  Omnipresent devices will automatically interact with other devices around them, adapting functionality to their local environment and other objects in their proximity.  In effect, devices could talk to one another without human interaction.

Also as businesses increasingly work collaboratively, there will be a greater need to share information electronically. This will drive requirements to classify information in order to define what can and cannot be shared in order to protect commercially sensitive information and to comply with regulations".

The blurring of personal and work life has grown in prominence, especially with the rise in home working and people increasingly using their own ICT infrastructure for work purposes.  With increased mobile devices, loss or theft could result in exposure of data.

The interception of data that passes over the WiFi or 3G network, capture of data via Bluetooth connections, and mobile viruses will increase in parallel. While these threats exist today, the report suggests that the proliferation of mobile devices and how they are used will undoubtedly be a key security consideration over the next decade.

The Technology Strategy Board will use the report to guide its future support for research and development in this important area, while it may also shape the Board's work in other strategic areas, such as healthcare and sustainability.

Ends

1. The Technology Strategy Board is a business-led executive non-departmental public body, established by the government.  Its role is to promote and support research into, and development and exploitation of, technology and innovation for the benefit of UK business, in order to increase economic growth and improve the quality of life.  It is sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).   For more information please visit: www.pwc.co.uk

2.  "PricewaterhouseCoopers" refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (a limited liability partnership in the United Kingdom) or, as the context requires, the PricewaterhouseCoopers global network or other member firms in the network, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity.

3.  The roadmap was commissioned by the Technology Strategy Board and jointly prepared with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.  The purpose of the roadmap is to set out the drivers that will shape the future Information Security environment to 2020 and beyond.  The roadmap informs business leaders and security professionals alike, and sets out potential future scenarios and issues around information security.

The research focussed on the commercial aspects of Information Security, but remains cognisant of trends in cyber security and warfare for military and intelligence applications.

The research primarily illustrates trends in the UK Information Security market, but the implications are relevant globally.

4.In preparing the roadmap PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP interviewed over 35 leading Information Security experts and business leaders across the private sector, academia and government to determine the key trends that are likely impact Information Security to 2020.  A workshop was also held with over 40 experts to validate the trends and explore them in further detail. 

5.  'Revolution or evolution'  Information Security 2020 is available to download at: www.innovateuk.org and www.pwc.co.uk

6.  Companies and other organisations seeking further information about Technology Strategy Board research and development funding opportunities should visit the Competitions page of the Technology Strategy Board website www.innovateuk.org

email competitions@tsb.gov.uk  phone the Competitions Helpline on 0300 321 4357.

7.  Media enquires about the Information Security roadmap, and any interview requests, should be addressed to the Technology Strategy Board's media relations consultant or manager or to PwC's media relations contacts below.

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