Chapter 10 - Information Privacy and Systems Security Issues for e-Commerce Environments

Abstract

This chapter takes look at the fundamental paradox that exists between protecting our privacy and the need to access and distribute information. The chapter also discusses common security threats, risks, and options for countermeasures to protect and enhance the security of an e-commerce environment. Privacy is a significant concern for anyone who uses the internet. In business, it would be prudent to consider privacy issues from the very beginning, when designing an e-commerce environment and building data warehouses or, any of the transactional systems (for example, e-CRM) that will provide content to the data warehouse. The current trends in privacy policy seem to be heading in the direction of protecting the end user/consumer. These changes in policy direction will force e-commerce to communicate their privacy policies openly to anyone visiting their sites or using their systems. The amount of damage and collateral damage that can be caused by a malicious hacker has dramatically increased with the Internet. Moreover, the internet serves as a target-rich environment with thousands of systems available and waiting for attack. Businesses engaged in e-commerce would serve themselves if they take the time to define their security policy, their security plans and strategies, and to educate their personnel on the risk and need for security.