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Barriers to e-Commerce
Published by ICX
Authors: Chris Taper, Senior Security Consultant, Fujistu
First Published: 1999
Current Version: 1.2, July 2000
Cost: Members: £80
How do I obtain this: Contact
ICX
Abstract: Whilst this document was
written over 2 years ago, the issues and perspectives are
as though they were written today. This is a seminal document
providing excellent guidance and ground rules for any business
about to embark on a mission critical electronic commerce
project.
What's it about?
The objective of this publication is to identify the blockers,
or barriers, to the successful implementation of secure electronic
commerce with particular reference to Europe, but in a global
context.
Some extracts:
From Section 2 - e-Commerce, blockers to
implementation
Cultural Differences
Bribery - the level playing field of business has been known
to be in danger of the habit of exchanging favours, presents,
or the use of "consultancy" as a way of doing business.
This will be true of the higher value deals, which have yet
to figure in most Internet transactions. Stock dealing, perhaps
excepted.
Legal
What are the key legal issues that will stand in the way of
easy Electronic Commerce? Which member state is competent
and which law applies. How will International recognition
of Certificating Authorities occur? Legal issues are being,
tackled by various parties - OECD, ICC and the European Commission,
including its E-CLIP project.(See http://www.jura.uni-muenster.de/eclip).
Other topics covered by ECLIP include liability of on-line
intermediaries, contract law, user protection
Strong Encryption & Export Control
Regulations
General - Governments have to balance the needs of, amongst
other things, business with the requirements of law enforcement.
Business demands include the need for a variety of documents,
'sensitive' information to be confidential and private. Indeed
to protect the privacy of individuals, employees information
needs to be protected against unauthorised use. Data Protection
Directives, Acts focus on this protection and prohibits transfer
of information to those countries which do not support such
rules.
Tax Policies
Tax policies will continue to evolve. Currently there is the
view not to tax Internet transactions. However, there can
be a variety of taxes involved some of which may be applied
others not. Local sales taxes on the product sold, a value
added tax on the communications link from consumer to service
provider, or an import tax on physical goods imported - which
may be applied according to product, volume or price.
Electronic Fraud
The full extent of electronic fraud is not known - stories
indicate that it is in the 'billions' of dollars - significantly
high to warrant serious implementation of a full PKI sooner
rather than later. The fear of fraud certainly deters a large
number of potential Internet users, but the banks and insurance
companies have clearly budgeted for an amount but surely cannot
be sustainable. A major case study waiting to happen that
will get publicised.
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