In days gone by, evil highwayman, like the infamous Dick Turpin, patrolled the rough dirt tracks of Old England. They preyed on wayfarers and their possessions, and caused fear throughout the land. Only when the protection of the travelers and their cargo could be assured, were these rough tracks able to evolve into sensible highways, and provide the essential communications infrastructure for modern business and human lifestyle.
Today's so-called information superhighways are now going through a similar inaugural phase. Only when business has confidence that the systems cannot be infiltrated, and network information can pass unimpeded will, electronic commerce—on a worldwide scale—intensify. We are on the way there, but there is still a long road lying out there in front of us.