The Second International Workshop for Asian Public Key Infrastructures

With the rapid development of network technology, Internet grows explosively recently.  Internet has deeply affected our life as telephones do.  Two most typical examples are electronic business and government.  In these two applications, not only the speed of broadband networks is demanded but also privacy and credibility.  Currently promoted globally by governments and industries, PKI, which stands for Public Key Infrastructures, is considered the most effective solution for providing credibility and security on the Internet.

A number of countries started building their PKI as early as 1996, and practical problems arose subsequently.  Although adhering to national standards such as ITU, ISO, IETF and PKCS, different PKI systems cannot connect one another domestically, not to mention internationally.  As a result, international or regional organizations are formed to promote the association of different PKIs in certain PKI advanced countries.  Currently renowned PKI organizations include PKI Forum founded in US in 1999, EESSI (European Electronic Signature Standardisation Initiative) formed by European Community, and Asia PKI Forum started by Japan, Korea and Singapore, in which Taiwan is one of the eight members.  The first International Workshop for Asian PKI, IWAP was held in Korea in October 2001, inviting Asian experts sharing valuable experience on constructing PKI, especially on how to connect PKI among Asian countries.  This year IWAP will be held in Taiwan, and this provides a wonderful opportunity for participants to exhibit and share their experiences in PKI construction.