A year after IT directors at some of Britain's largest
organisations began to form a high-powered security user group, the
Jericho Forum has opened up to new members.
It has also announced plans to operate under the auspices of the
Open Group, a standards group representing users and suppliers of
open technology.
While relinquishing its status as an independent body, the Jericho
Forum is expected to maintain its own identity, founder members
told Computer Weekly.
There are now 40 companies, including many multinationals in the
Jericho Forum, along with government representatives. The group
aims to expand its membership to several hundred by the end of next
year.
Paul Dorey chief information security officer at BP, said, "User
companies may join at £4,000-£6,500 a year based on size with large
suppliers paying up to £11,000. Academics and government
departments pay lower fees."
David Lacey, director of information security at Royal Mail Group
and founding member of the Jericho Forum, said, "We have decided to
include suppliers but they will not have the same voting rights as
users. We cannot afford to leave decisions to suppliers, because
they are naturally competitive."
Lacey was also keen to get academics involved even though this will
mean having to assess the merits of blue-sky technology. "We need
more [blue-sky technology] and we are aiming to engage the academic
community by setting them specific problems to solve," he said.