Symantec, Barclays, e-victims organisation and Open University join 25 UK-based organisations in the final reckoning

LONDON, 18 June 2008 – Nominet today reveals the shortlist for its annual Best Practice Challenge, a competition that recognises British organisations, groups or individuals who have embraced the challenge of making the Internet a secure, open, accessible or diverse experience for all. Symantec, Barclays, E-Victims Organisation and the British Computer Association of the Blind are four of thirty organisations to make the shortlist in 2008.

A twelve-strong panel of independent judges, from organisations including the Confederation of British Industry, the British Computer Society, Bebo, the Royal National Institute for the Blind and the Press Association is being chaired by Rt Hon Alun Michael MP. The judging panel met on 10th June to discuss the high calibre entries and decide on the winners for each of the six award categories:

• Best Development Project
• Best Security Initiative
• Raising Industry Standards
• Personal Safety Online
• Internet For All
• Open Internet

The winners will be announced at an award ceremony in London on 9th July 2008. These outstanding entries will be promoted as examples of best practice to industry, government, academia and in the media in the UK and internationally. They will also be invited to take a leading role in the UK preparatory meeting for the next Internet Governance Forum (IGF)* meeting in Hyderabad and be showcased at the IGF on 3rd to 6th December as examples of the best of British in the Internet world.

Emily Taylor, Director of Legal and Policy comments:  "This year’s entries are of a really high standard. It’s really pleasing to see so many great examples of self regulation and collaborative approaches to Internet development from such a wide range of organisations. It’s a clear indication of how effective this approach can be in addressing real issues on the Internet."

Rt Hon Alun Michael MP adds, "In 2007, Nominet’s Best Practice Challenge identified some great examples of innovative Internet governance and provided case studies that motivated other countries at the IGF meeting. For example, Brazil and France are now looking to implement a similar model for identifying best practice in their respective countries."

"Having looked at the short list, it is clear that the UK will have a really stunning line up of best practice examples this year. Choosing winners will be even more difficult than last year. The winning entries are sure to spark lively discussions and add substance to international policy debate."

Please see below for the entire list of short listed companies. For further information on individual entries please contact Racepoint Group on 020 8752 3205 / 3203 or email nominetuk@racepointgroup.com.

The Press Association is the media partner for this year’s award.

Best Development Project

• ActNow Cornwall
• Age Concern Edinburgh Information Technology (ACE IT)
• Cambridgeshire Council’s Community Access Points initiative
• Childnet International
• Citizens Online - EverybodyOnline
• Solihull community housing and CI-Net

 
Best Security Initiative

• Business Crime Reduction Centre
• Barclays PINsentry
• BeCrypt
• Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP)

Raising Industry Standards

• Internet Watch Foundation
• NSDesign Ltd
• Safebuy

Personal Safety Online

• E-Victims Organisation
• Get Safe Online
• Information Security Awareness Forum
• Symantec

Internet For All

• AbilityNet
• British Computer Association of the Blind (BCAB)
• British Library
• Common Knowledge (CKUK)
• Describe Online
• myguide

Open Internet

• Blitz IT Hub
• Bristol City Council
• Connecting Bristol
• mySociety e-petitions
• Open University - OpenLearn
• University of Kent – Greenfoot
• Youth Net

* The IGF is a United Nations initiative where governments, industry, voluntary sector organisations and academics from around the world get together to discuss current challenges and achievements of the Internet. The aim is for countries to share their regional experiences to inspire the global Internet community. (www.intgovforum.org)

Notes to Editors

About Nominet

Nominet UK is the national registry for all Internet domain names ending in .uk. Its purpose is the careful and impartial management of this central database, providing stability, security and accessibility for all users of .uk domain names. Nominet is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. It has members not shareholders, pays no dividends and its charges only cover its running costs. Anyone with an interest in the Internet may become a member. Nominet has over 2,800 members representing all areas of the Internet industry and is recognised as the .uk domain name registry by the Internet industry and the UK Government. It is not a governing or regulatory body, but provides a public service for the .uk namespace on behalf of the UK Internet community.

About the Internet Governance Forum

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) was established by the United Nations to accommodate comprehensive multi–stakeholder policy dialogue in the field of Internet governance. It aims to bring together all stakeholders in the Internet governance debate each year, whether they represent states, the private sector or civil society, on an equal basis and through an open and inclusive process.

About The Press Association (Nominet’s media partner for the Best Practice Challenge)

The Press Association is the national news agency for the UK and Ireland, providing a continuous feed of text, pictures, video and data into newsrooms around the country. At the heart of the media industry, the Press Association supplies services to every national and regional daily newspaper, broadcasters, online publishers and a wide range of commercial organisations. Founded in 1868, the Press Association has an unrivalled reputation for providing fast, fair and accurate information.

The Press Association and PA Business are part of the PA Group Limited, a private company with 27 shareholders, most of whom are national and regional newspaper publishers. The biggest shareholders are Associated Newspaper Holdings Limited, News International plc, Trinity Mirror plc and United Business Media plc.

Visit the PA Group web site for more information at: www.thepagroup.com

For further information on the UK IGF or the Nominet Best Practice Challenge, please contact:
Gemma Griffiths or Blaise Hammond at Racepoint UK
Tel: 020 8752 3205 / 3203
Email: nominetuk@racepointgroup.co.uk