#NAME?A typical response comes from Raymond Schippers, a

senior security analyst with cyber security firm Checkpoint. “The amount

of attacks over the Internet is insane,” he said.

“In an instant, someone could compromise 10,000 computers. And without the

voter ever knowing: someone could change their vote and no one would ever be

able to confirm it was changed.”

Ian Brightwell, former CIO of the NSW Electoral Commission, takes a slightly

different view, saying partial use of electronic voting could offer significant

advantages but – given the possible problems – he doesn’t see any need for

Australia to go “all-in” for an e-vote system..

The Australian Information and Industry Association remains enthusiastic, however.

CEO Rob Fitzpatrick has called for governments to introduce “a safe,

secure and reliable electronic voting system.”

Fitzpatrick believes the possible problems are being over-stated.

“Australia has some of the world’s leading researchers in secure operating

systems, providers of cybersecurity infrastructure and public and private

sector operations, handling complex transactions,” he said last week.

“Without question, secure electronic voting is a challenge. But when were

we not up for a challenge?”