The
information revolution has not only introduced new technologies, but
has changed the way business is conducted. Economic transactions
increasingly take place via digital electronic activities focused
primarily on the interconnectivity obtained via the Internet. A
critical part of this interconnectivity is the way organizations
have integrated their accounting and financial management systems
with Internet–based applications. The importance of the Internet to
private and public organizations is well known.
As a
result of the above noted developments, cybersecurity has moved to
center stage. Indeed, cybersecurity (with its emphasis on
information and computer security) has itself become a key issue for
private and public organizations in the digital economy. The public
policy implications of cybersecurity are now being actively debated.
The activities of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security have
certainly highlighted the importance of this debate.
In
order to help form and resolve the debate concerning the relations
among financial information systems, cybersecurity, and public
policy, the
University of Maryland's
Robert H.
Smith School of Business,
in cooperation with the
Center for
Public Policy and Private Enterprise
(from Maryland’s
School of Public Policy),
initiated an Annual Forum entitled
Financial
Information Systems and Cyber Security: A Public Policy Perspective
. The first Forum was held in May
2004, the second,
third and fourth Forums
were held in May
2005,
2006,
and
2007 respectively. This Annual Forum is intended to encourage the
exchange of ideas among researchers and executives who share a
common interest in issues related to Financial Information Systems
and Cybersecurity.
Coordinators for the Forum are
Lawrence A. Gordon,
Martin P. Loeb,
and
William
Lucyshyn. The next
Forum will be held in May 2008.
Dr. Lawrence A.
Gordon at Orioles baseball game with participants at the 2005
Forum on Financial Information Systems and Cybersecurity.
Marianne Emerson, director of
information security for the U.S. Federal Reserve Board, spoke at
the "Financial Systems and Cybersecurity: A Public Policy
Perspective" forum in May 2004.
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