Legislative support for principle of technological neutrality in information systems

Abstract

Anna Zharova – Associate Professor, Department of Innovation and Business in Information Technologies, Faculty of Business Informatics, National Research University Higher School of Economics.
Address: 20, Myasnitskaya str., Moscow, 101000, Russian Federation.
E-mail: ajarova@hse.ru

Anna Gutnikova– Director, Institute of Legislation Problems, National Research University Higher School of Economics.
Address: 20, Myasnitskaya str., Moscow, 101000, Russian Federation.
E-mail: agutnikova@hse.ru 

Svetlana Maltseva – professor, head of Department of Innovation and Business in Information Technologies, acting dean of Faculty of Business Informatics, National Research University Higher School of Economics.   
Address: 20, Myasnitskaya str., Moscow, 101000, Russian Federation.
E-mail: smaltseva@hse.ru

Vladimir Elin – Associate Professor, Department of Information Security Management, Faculty of Business Informatics, National Research University Higher School of Economics.
Address: 20, Myasnitskaya str., Moscow, 101000, Russian Federation.
E-mail: velin@hse.ru

At the present time much attention is paid to application of information technologies in the sphere of public services, interaction between people and public institutions, and international cooperation. However IT application depends directly on legal implementation of technological neutrality principle, according to which adopted rules and regulations should be neutral in relation to technologies used.

This article provides classification of issues to be solved in order to improve implementation of technological neutrality principle on different levels of information exchange. It is specifically noted that this principle should be implemented legally. Moreover this principle should also be applied to electronic document management, because, despite the lawful right to use digital signatures, due to lack of federal law concerning electronic documents and document management usability of digital signatures is rather limited. Main issue to be addressed by such law is determination of common conceptual framework, establishment  general principles of document management based on information technologies, and establishing of general document forms, requisites and attributes, and requirements for electronic document transfer, conversion of paper documents into electronic form and vice versa, document copying, etc. Furthermore technological neutrality principle should be implemented while placing public orders for complex information technologies as well as during analysis of IT services market including inquiry systems, state support of IT organizations, and administrative burdens which hinder development in this sphere.