Challenging the norm on the digital revolution

The question of internet security is one of the issues to be explored at the University of Teesside’s Digitex 2007 conference next week.

The free event will challenge accepted wisdom about digital content and digital services and starts with a pre-conference event at the University's Centre for Enterprise on Victoria Road on Wednesday 5 December, 5.15pm-8.00pm. This will be followed by a day of speakers and workshops on Thursday 6 December.

The event is aimed at industry, small and medium-sized enterprises, entrepreneurs and those responsible for planning policy for the future of new digital industries.

Graham Dean, Deputy Dean in the University’s School of Computing, said: ‘This event will present an opportunity to consider the future of digital technologies. It will examine new business models and look at the innovative responses that businesses need to make to the new opportunities that they are presenting.

‘Our speakers will also ask if this innovation means there is a demand for new skills across the digital sector and how we go about training people in those new skills. What we are asking is whether or not it is time for our thinking on digital technologies to be more radical?’

Subjects to be considered include the way business responds to new ways of working presented by digital technologies and whether or not there needs to be more focus on new forms of training.

The day will also address the question of internet security, asking if the current networked infrastructure provides adequate support for resilient and secure digital services.

Speakers will include Dr Mo O'Toole, of the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA), and Debi Ashenden, Cranfield University. Also speaking will be Herbert Kim, of North East-based Codeworks and Matt Goodlet, Future Media & Technologies Group, BBC.

To book a place phone 01642 342608 or register on the Digitex website.

---