All eyes on Guildford
Sunday 11 May 2008
Many people's concerns about the UK’s perceived ‘Big Brother’ society are to be addressed by some of the UK's leading experts on information security at a unique event being held at the University of Surrey on Wednesday 14 May.
This vitally-important high-level debate, titled The Dilemma of Privacy and Surveillance, and organised by the Surrey Network of the IET (Institute of Engineering and Technology) in co-operation with the University of Surrey, is being chaired by one of the UK’s most eminent advisors on the subject, Professor Nigel Gilbert of the University of Surrey, who holds a number of senior posts in the field, and who is Specialist Advisor to the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee, which is inquiring into surveillance issues.
Professor Gilbert was also, until recently, chairman of a working group at the Royal Academy of Engineering examining the technological challenges of privacy and surveillance.
Also on the panel is Jonathan Bamford, number two at the Information Commission, which is charged with safeguarding personal information in the UK and with improving the ability of citizens to access information being held about them.
With so many high tech companies operating in Surrey and the South East, Guildford has become a natural focus for the industry, many of whom work for government agencies and commercial organisations charged with using our personal details to help combat terrorism, identity fraud and cyber crime.
Attending will be three of the UK’s leading security specialists – David Birch from Consult Hyperion and columnist for Second Sight, The Guardian On-Line supplement, Tom Ilube, director of on-line security specialists Garlik and former chief information officer for Egg, and Martyn Thomas of Thomas Associates, who is also visiting professor of software engineering at the Oxford University Computer Laboratory.
The Dilemma of Privacy and Surveillance is being held on Wednesday 14 May at 6.30 p.m. in the School of Management Lecture Theatre at the University of Surrey. Register at: www.ieesurrey.org.uk/events/index.php?eventid=74 or call the University Education Liaison Centre on 01483 689376. Attendance is free and complimentary refreshments will also be provided.
Media Enquiries
Peter La, Press Office at the University of Surrey, Tel: +44 (0)1483 689191, or Email mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk