1 Introduction

1.1 S.E.E. PKI

1.1.1 The Secure Electronic Environment (S.E.E.) Project is developing a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) for use among NZ Government agencies. Its primary purpose is to authenticate public servants to inter-agency web-based applications classified up to SENSITIVE.

1.1.2 The S.E.E. PKI Project's goal is to promote interoperable PKI solutions within the government, the development of common guidance, and the sharing of information, resulting in economies of scale, reduction of risk, and systems that are fast to implement, and easy to use.

1.1.3 This paper discusses international developments in the field of PKI. It covers initiatives in a number of areas: the global banking community, individual countries (most notably Australia) and international fora such as APEC.

1.2 Objectives

1.2.1 The objectives of this paper are to:

• Identify international initiatives that may have a future impact on S.E.E. PKI

• Identify any international trends that the S.E.E. PKI programme may need to take into account, to ensure that it does not inadvertently adopt a divergent course from the international community in this area

• Make recommendations based on international experience for any actions that may contribute to the success of S.E.E. PKI in NZ.