One impediment for the wide-scale acceptance of open networks applications is trust and confidence. To make good use of the commercial opportunities offered by electronic communication via open networks, a secure environment needs to be established.

The mission of EICAR's CIP is to investigate the drivers for a trustworthy use of the Internet. The aim is to study those driving forces (technological, social, economical, political) that will shape the future of Internet applications. The results could deliver significant qualitative as well as quantitative benefits to players in the e-commerce industry.

Our objectives in research are:

• Challenges of the near future concerning computers, software and new media.

• System and information security (LAN, Internet, infrastructure, etc.).

• Concepts and practical approaches for developers and end-users.

• Early Warning Information System (EWIS)