Global Information Infrastructure (GII)

The importance of information protection continues to grow, as we become more and more dependent on high-technology systems. The networking of systems around the world is continuing to expand the Global Information Infrastructure (GII). Today, because of the microprocessor, its availability, power, and low cost, the world is "building" the GII. The GII is the massive international connections of world computers that are carrying business and personal communications as well as that of the social and government sectors of nation-states. Some say it could connect entire cultures, erase international borders, support "cyber-economies," establish new markets, and change our entire concept of international relations.

GII is based on the Internet and much of the growth of the Internet. The GII is not a formal project; rather, it is the result of thousands of individuals', corporations', and governments' need to communicate and conduct business by the most efficient and effective means possible.

The importance of information protection takes on added meaning because of the increased threats to the systems and the information they store, process, display, and transmit due to this expanded connectivity provided by the GII. After all, it will come as no surprise to you that there are people and nation-states in the world that consider your company and your country an adversary—the enemy. That being the case, they will do whatever they can to meet their own objectives—generally at the expense of your company or nation-state.

One example is the aggressive information infrastructure vision and plans of Malaysia. Malaysia not only wants to aggressively pursue the total integration of information systems in government, businesses, and schools throughout the country, but it also wants to establish a government that is "paperless"! Imagine the information protection problems associated with such endeavors. And of course, Malaysia wants to provide global access, e.g., the Internet, to its citizens, while still maintaining their basic culture and religious values. Quite a challenge for the 21st century, and one that unfortunately has been set back because of Malaysia's current economic environment.

Because of Malaysians' religious beliefs, Internet access to material considered pornographic or topics that violate their culture is not acceptable. One of their society's struggles, as with many nation-states, will be how to provide access to the world's information without causing some moral decay of their society. This will be a struggle for many countries, and it is believed that the ISSOs and their information protection programs will have a major impact on the society of such developing countries.