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Trusted Computing Working Group

Business Overview

The Trusted Computing Working Group is a project that has been set up under the E-government Interoperability Framework (e-GIF). The Working Group will develop a set of government-wide principles for the use of trusted computing technologies in New Zealand. This is one of many strands of work being undertaken by the government related to trusted computing.

For a high-level overview and background information about this wider area, see:

Trusted computing technologies are beginning to be deployed internationally. They are expected to become commonplace. Although they may offer many benefits, they will also introduce potential risks to the integrity of government-held information. The New Zealand government recognises that agencies will need principles in the short-to-medium term (and perhaps standards in the longer term) regarding government use of these technologies to mitigate the risks.

If government-wide principles are not developed, then each agency may separately develop their own. This could lead to inconsistencies and interoperability issues.

It was felt that the most appropriate way to develop such principles would be through a working group established under the E-government Interoperability Framework (e-GIF).

Working group

The Trusted Computing Working Group was established in July 2005.

The expected deliverables are:

  • An interim report due at the end of 2005, and
  • A final report completed in early 2006.

The scope of the Working Group includes:

  • Develop trusted computing principles suitable for the New Zealand government use
  • Check that the principles take account of:
    • Issues related to storage and retrieval of information in the context of any legislation, policies or requirements under which government agencies operate
    • Instances for which use of trusted computing and DRM may enhance agencies’ operations
    • Practices that should be adopted to ensure that risks of the use of these technologies would be mitigated
    • The practicability and acceptability of such principles in the vendor community
    • The process and means by which such principles could be communicated to agencies, and the challenges of having them accepted and adopted
    • The international context of such principles.
  • Watch for other major new initiatives that may be relevant
  • Report to the Trusted Computing Steering Group and the e-GIF Management committee, recommending inclusion of the principles in the e-GIF

Members of the Working Group include representatives from government and the private sector.