Please don’t forget to go to the post below and comment on the list of topics we will be reporting on to the Cabinet Office!

In a future report, I would like to explore the information security and information assurance implications of some of the following topics:

Air Traffic

1. It is likely that a political decision will be taken to harmonize air traffic control systems and permit planes to use continuous descent as opposed to staged level landing in order to reduce the consumption of fuel. How will this affect information flows for airports, NATS, etc.?

2. The increasing use of small corporate jets flying point to point using small airfields may increase dramatically. How will this affect air traffic control? Passenger security? Immigration and passport control procedures?

3. The development of an ultralight aircraft with land motor vehicle capabilities raises the possibility of a Jetsons era, where ultralights may be used for commuter services. Again, what are the information assurance implications for air traffic control?

Demographics

4. It is easy to imagine a scenario where government funding is increasingly directed towards healthcare and pensions to follow the baby boom generation’s needs. What are the information assurance and information security implications of a budget freeze for technology spending in government, while the private sector forges ahead?

5. It is estimated that 50% of people living to age 85 will contract Alzheimers, and that a very large percentage of people now living will reach age 85. How will chronic care need to adapt to give these people care? How can they do this without information technology?

Miscellaneous

6. What are the information assurance implications if a global payments provider issues a fiat currency that crosses borders?