Topic 5: Security and Encryption
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This topic discusses the need for adequate security and encryption technologies to engender trust and confidence in online transactions. Real world contracts and relationships can be extremely risky – signatures can be forged, identities can be stolen and communications can be intercepted. Virtual transactions are also affected by these issues but in most cases, virtual transactions may actually be safer than real world contracts. However, the public perception is that the virtual world is a lawless place and is thus inherently unsafe. Legislatures across the globe are required to counter this perception by enacting laws that engender confidence in online transactions.
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Introduction

Legal relationships and contracts are the bedrock of modern society. The ease of modern communication systems means that people across the globe can decide to communicate with each other and strike up sometimes complex legal relationships. Clarity, certainty and now technology neutrality underpin modern relationships. Both natural and legal persons demand certainty and trust. In the past, trust would be implicit in the decision to ‘shake on it’, or would be expressed explicitly in the physical act of signing or endorsing the deed. Signing documents developed as a means of securing the identity of the sender. A英语论文网 【http://www.51lunwen.org】s societies mature, the rules for formalising contractual relationships evolve, crystallise and can become highly technical and detailed, especially if the interaction between the parties is conducted at a distance. Formalities for certain legal relationships can include the need for;

Written documentation
Hand-written signatures
Oath or third party involvement

E-Business, because of its very nature, raises new security issues not relevant in conventional computer systems. Data is passing outside the four walls of any business and hence into areas where the business cannot exercise direct control. In addition, contractual and/or critical data is being transmitted, and therefore issues of Confidentiality, Data Integrity, Authentication, Contract Enforceability and Access are crucial.

Virtual transactions  and relationships, if they are to be encouraged, need to be secure, reliable and trustworthy. The need for adequate security and encryption technologies is paramount. Such systems will engender trust and confidence in online transactions. However, it must be stated that real world contracts and relationships can be extremely risky – signatures can be forged, identities can be stolen and communications can be intercepted. Virtual transactions are also affected by these issues but in most cases, virtual transactions may actually be safer than real world contracts. H 本文来自：英语论文网 【http://www.51lunwen.org】