London, UK 17^th February 2009 - Next Monday (23rd of February) sees the Annual Parliamentary Advisory Forum on E-Crime taking place, with speakers including Alun Michael, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Office and Detective Superintendent Charlie McMurdie of the newly-formed Police Central e-Crime Unit lined up to speak.

The organisers of the Infosecurity Europe Show, the number one dedicated information security event, say that they are expecting good things from the ISPA-sponsored forum.

"This event will effectively be the launch pad for the Police Central e-crime Unit (PCeU) and, judging from events in Parliament late last year, everyone will be watching DS McMurdie and how she sets the stage for the PCeU's initial focus," said Tamar Beck, Group Event Director, Infosecurity Europe.

"Late last year, during a debate on Internet fraud, MPs urged the government to look again at the seven million pound initial funding for the PCeU, with Conservative MP Nigel Evans noting that seven million pounds may not be enough," she added.

According to Beck, Evans' comments were echoed by Liberal Democrat MP Tom Brake who also noted that there are concerns that the initial funding will be enough to resource the PCeU.

Home office Minister Alan Campbell, says Beck, has claimed that the PCeU will be supported by other bodies under the 29 million pound National Fraud Programme.

This, she explained, includes the National Fraud Strategic Authority (NFSA) and the National Fraud Reporting Centre (NFRC).

And, she says, since Campbell is on the same platform as DS McMurdie next Monday, it will be very interesting to see how things pan out.

Shadow crime-reduction minister, James Brokenshire, she added, has said that, whilst the Conservatives approve of the PCeU's creation, the UK is still not taking e-crime as seriously as it should.

"Brokenshire said in last November's Parliamentary debate that, whilst she welcomes the creation of the PCeU, its formation is an admission that the Government was wrong to get rid of the National Hi-Tech Crime Unit," she said.

"It will be very interesting to see how Alun Michael and Alan Campbell square up to these criticisms, but is also to be hoped that positive results come out of next Monday's ISPA-sponsored Parliamentary Forum," she added.

Ms Charlie McMurdie, Detective Superintendent, Police Central e-crime Unit, New Scotland Yard is speaking in a keynote on Who Should Police The Global Internet at Infosecurity Europe and Mr James Brokenshire MP, Shadow Crime Reduction Minister, Member of Parliament for Hornschurch is speaking on The Dynamics of e-Crime.  For details of these keynotes and the full FREE education for Infosecurity Europe 2009 which takes place at Earls Court, London from 28th – 30th April 2009 visit http://www.infosec.co.uk

ENDS

About Infosecurity Europe

Infosecurity Europe, running for its 14^th year in 2009, is Europe’s number one Information Security event.  Featuring over 300 exhibitors, the most diverse range of new products and services, an unrivalled education programme and visitors from every segment of the industry, it is the most important date in the calendar for Information Security professionals across Europe.  Organised by Reed Exhibitions, the world’s largest tradeshow organiser, Infosecurity Europe is one of five Infosecurity events around the world with events also running in Belgium, Netherlands, Russia, and France.  Infosecurity Europe runs from the 28^th – 30^th April 2009, in its new venue Earls Court, London.  For further information please visit www.infosec.co.uk