Provision of healthcare security information services using the world-wide web

The paper considers the continuing need for information security and associated awareness methods within modern European Healthcare Establishments (HCEs). It presents details of a novel security information dissemination service that will soon be offered as part of the new European Union ISHTAR (Implementing Secure Health Telematics Applications in Europe) project. The objective of the project is to increase the awareness of both the public and healthcare personnel on issues related to health data protection, by way of seminars and worldwide dissemination. The selected means of achieving the latter is to promote healthcare security issues over the Internet, utilising a dedicated server on the World-Wide Web. The paper examines the way in which the service will be implemented, the features that it will offer and the advantages that the approach provides. The principal point here is considered to be the easier availability of consistent security advice to a wide audience. © The authors 1996.