Current standards on information and communication technology
In the world of bits and bytes
In today’s world, communication is a flow of bits and bytes in networks, be they small or large.
No matter whether customers insert their cards into a reader, a printer understands the commands of a computer or an image file is compressed to half its size - standards set the norm.
- Credit: ASI prm
From basic to advanced applications
More than 2,300 standards regulate the world of information processing. Originally, networks were developed for internal corporate communications. Enterprises soon realised that it would be advantageous to be able to pass on information from the internal network and to receive data from external sources. Starting with programming languages, experts agreed on more and more standards they needed.
Programming languages (examples):
ÖNORM EN 29899: Programming languages - C
ÖNORM EN 27185: Programming languages - Pascal
ÖNORM EN 26373: Data processing - Programming languages - Minimal BASIC
- Credit: ASI prm
Security comes first
A limit, however, has to be set to the euphoria of uncontrolled data flows. Consumer protectionists raise their voices to defend privacy. Security, in its broadest sense, is a critical issue for enterprises: stable networks as well as protection against hacker attacks and data loss are important for them. Initiatives in which all the stakeholder groups concerned co-operate find regulations acceptable for all.
Security in information processing (examples):
ÖNORM A 7700: Technical requirements concerning the security of web applications
ÖNORM EN ISO/IEC 19796-1: Information technology - Learning, education and training - Quality management, assurance and metrics - General approach
ÖNORM ISO/IEC 27001: Information technology - Security techniques - Information security management systems - Requirements
ÖNORM ISO/IEC 27002: Information technology - Security techniques - Code of practice for information security management
- Credit: ASI prm
The card that does it all
The citizen card is an important subject in standardisation related to information technology. It is issued by authorities, grants rights and is to be valid as a travel document in the European Union. Experts agreed on the required technical specifications at a Europe-wide level. In Austria, national rules exist for marking identification cards - from citizen cards to customer cards.
Citizen card - integrated circuit(s) cards (examples):
ÖNORM CEN/TS 15480-1: Identification card systems - European Citizen Card - Physical, electrical and transport protocol characteristics
ÖNORM EN 726 (seven parts): Identification card systems - Telecommunications integrated circuit(s) cards and terminals
ÖNORM EN 1332 (four parts): Identification card systems - Human-machine interface
ÖNORM A 2645: Identification cards - Integrated circuit(s) cards with contacts - Austrian numbering system and registration procedure for application provider numbers
- Credit: ASI prm
More than international standards
In Austria, standardisation goes beyond international efforts in the field of information technologies - with regard to specific, but essential aspects of the data processing world. The correct destruction of bits and bytes stored on hard disks that are not needed any longer as well as data exchange between hospitals and insurance companies are simplified by standards.
Special topics:
ÖNORM A 7700: Technical requirements concerning the security of web applications
ÖNORM S 2109-4 Destruction of documents and data - Devices and parts containing data carriers
ÖNORM K 2201-2: Messages for electronic data exchange of invoice and invoice-checking information between hospitals and private insurances
- Credit: ASI prm
Themes of the future
In the vast field of information technologies, primarily international standards bring technical solutions and facilitate communication and innovation. But the themes of the future go far beyond technology: security, protection of privacy and controlled data flows will become more and more important.
