A list of groups relating to Security.

ISSG

The British Computer Society Information Security Specialist Group (BCS-ISSG) was formed in 1984 and covers all aspects of information security, with hundreds of members representing a wide range of commercial, government and academic organizations.
 
The BCS-ISSG seeks to improve security awareness and education by covering topical information security issues at regular seminars, an annual two-day conference, and through the publication of a magazine and website.

Contact: Gareth Niblett gareth.niblett@bcs.org

IRMA

The British Computer Society's Information Risk Management and Audit Specialist Group (IRMA) has represented the interests of Information Systems (IS) auditors since its inception in 1965.

During that time the role of IS audit has expanded to include risk assessment, data security, confidentiality, integrity, availability, compliance, and IT governance. Encompassing internal and external audit and risk management, IRMA's membership is drawn from a wide cross-section of business including the IS profession, accountancy, public and private sector and academia. Its scope and objectives include:

• IS controls, risk management and auditing research, development and techniques;
• efficient, effective and economical use of risk management, audit and control resources;
• education, awareness and promotion of best practice in information risk management, audit and control.

IRMA organizes frequent full day and evening seminars from October to May each season and publishes its own, award-winning quarterly journal, which is free to members and which examines current issues and encourages refereed academic articles.

Contact: Ross Palmer ross.palmer@hrgworldwide.com

Information Privacy Expert Panel (IPEP)

The BCS Information Privacy Expert Panel is responsible for establishing and maintaining the position of the BCS as an independent voice of authority within the field of information privacy.

This may include, but is not necessarily limited to, issues arising from privacy, data protection, data sharing, identity, freedom of information and digital right management. It reports to the Security Strategic Panel and has a particular responsibility for the identification and addressing of information privacy issues within the Society and the wider community.

IPEP's members are selected to represent a broad spectrum of expertise across a range of industries, and include technologists, lawyers and privacy practitioners from academia, industry, service provision, healthcare and government sectors. The panel provides both formal input and informal advice to BCS policy, and contributes to policy of government and relevant non-government organisations.

IPEP has previously contributed to debates on national identity cards and transformational government proposals, and is currently considering issues as diverse as privacy of healthcare records, IT project management processes and data sharing initiatives.

Toby Stevens toby.stevens@privacygroup.org