Industry wakes up to security licence threat

The government hasn't thought through the consequences of its legislation to regulate the security profession, according to the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA).

In a letter to the Prime Minister, CompTIA warns that the Private Security Industry Bill will class people trained under the government's flagship IT training scheme as security consultants - requiring them to be licensed.

The government's Ambition:IT programme trains the unemployed to use computer skills, including network and PC security.

"Information security& is so vital to every interaction that takes place electronically that the conflicts raised by this Bill are much more fundamental and widespread than the issues solved by it," writes CompTIA director, Danika Bakalich, in the letter.

The Bill, pushed through Parliament before the General Election, is designed to clamp down on rogue wheelclampers and nightclub bouncers, but ministers have refused to rule out the inclusion of IT consultants under the legislation.

Shortly before the election, Home Office minister Charles Clarke and e-minister Patricia Hewitt promised the DTI would hold a public consultation before taking such a step.

Copies of the letter have been sent to Tony Blair, DTI secretary Patricia Hewitt, e-minister Douglas Alexander, the e-envoy Andrew Pinder, the Home Office and the departments for education and skills.