News that the Government has pledged to spend £63 million on the fight against cybercrime has been welcomed by the organisers of the Infosecurity Europe show, but with a proviso that the government uses the money in the right areas, to act as `seed corn' funding.   "This is excellent news, as the Home Office has obviously been watching what has been happening - as we all have - in the online world, with some consternation," said Claire Sellick, Event Director for Infosecurity Europe which will be held at Earls Court, London 19-21 April 2011 www.infosec.co.uk   "Since the next Infosecurity Europe event is now only a few months away, our team has been working with the security vendors and a number of other third parties to include a number of educational and informative events as a central feature of April's show.

This has made us realise that there is a ferocious need for education on all aspects of Information security," she added.   According to Sellick, reports that the Home Office has earmarked £63 million at a time of government cutbacks is welcome news for businesses across the UK, since it will help get the message across that an effective information security budget is now a `must have' in all organisations, no matter how small.   How the Home Office spends this seed corn money, however, she went on to say, is crucial, as the money needs to be spent in those areas of security education - and not just enforcement - where it matters most.   And those areas, she explained, include the training of trainers, since these trainers will then go on to spread the word.   There is also, she said, an excellent opportunity for information security vendors to work with the Home Office in several areas, to boost the effectiveness of the funding in the education of businesses as regards the latest - and very real - threats to the security of their digital data assets, and, of course, their computer systems.   The education programme at the Infosecurity Europe show this April – will help get the message across that, with a little planning, a highly effective information security strategy can quickly be turned into a digital defence program for organisations of all sizes.   "It is to be hoped that the international aspect of the battle against cybercrime will also be boosted, as we really do need international cooperation if the battle against online crime is to be at its most effective," she said.   "Closer to home, the plans to combine the PCeU with the National Crime Agency will also need to be managed carefully. And this why the devil is in the detail, we will need to examine the Home Office master plan - when it is revealed later this year - to see which areas of spending can be enhanced," she added.   For more on the Home Office cybercrime investment plans: http://bit.ly/fasiw6    For more on the Infosecurity Europe show: www.infosec.co.uk   About Infosecurity Europe InfosecurityEurope,celebrating16yearsattheheartoftheindustryin2011,isEurope’snumberoneInformationSecurityevent.  Featuringover300exhibitors,themostdiverserangeofnewproductsandservices,anunrivallededucationprogrammeandvisitorsfromeverysegmentoftheindustry,itisthemostimportantdateinthecalendarforInformationSecurityprofessionalsacrossEurope.  OrganisedbyReedExhibitions,theworld’slargesttradeshoworganiser,InfosecurityEuropeisoneoffourInfosecurityeventsaroundtheworldwitheventsalsorunninginBelgium,NetherlandsandRussia.  InfosecurityEuroperunsfromthe19th–21stApril2011,inEarlsCourt,London.  Forfurtherinformationpleasevisitwww.infosec.co.uk