SAFE-BioPharma Named Computerworld Laureate for IT Use Benefiting Soc
FORT LEE, N.J.–()–SAFE-BioPharma®, the global digital identity and digital signature standard for the life sciences and healthcare sectors, has been named a 2012 Computerworld Laureate. IDG’s Computerworld Honors Program recognizes visionary applications of information technology promoting positive social, economic, and educational change.
The SAFE-BioPharma standard is being recognized for its role in facilitating cloud-based collaboration between National Cancer Institute researchers and their private sector counterparts to accelerate initiation of a cancer clinical trial while lowering its costs, and reducing paper-reliance.
The public and private cancer researchers were provisioned with interoperable digital identities, a form of software installed on a computer, cell phone or other device, which establishes a close link with the user’s proven identity and allows for the application of digital signatures to electronic documents.
Digital identity credentials exist within legally-binding and regulatory-compliant cyber-communities known as identity trust hubs. When identity trust hubs cross-certify they become interoperable, allowing a digital identity asserted by one to be trusted by the other. All US federal agencies are served by the Federal Bridge identity trust hub, which provided the NCI researchers with their digital identity credentials. The biopharmaceutical and healthcare communities are served by the SAFE-BioPharma identity trust hub through which participating Bristol-Myers Squibb and Sanofi researchers received their digital identity credentials. The Federal Bridge and SAFE-BioPharma are cross-certified, and their digital identities are interoperable.
Unlike simple electronic signatures, digital signatures cryptographically guarantee the integrity of documents to which they are affixed. In the pilot study, the electronic documents were placed in the cloud, where the researchers were able to access, sign, and exchange them immediately. Prior to the study, the signature process was delayed by travel and the use of courier, fax, etc.
Details of the study are documented in the white paper, “Research collaboration in the cloud: How NCI and Research Partners are using Digital Identities to Accelerate Drug Development.” The white paper can be downloaded, free, at: www.safe-biopharma.org/whitepaperform.htm
The 2012 Computerworld Laureates will be recognized publicly at the Laureate Medal Ceremony and Gala Evening on June 4th in Washington, D.C. During this ceremony, case studies are formally inducted into the program’s International Archives, and honorees are presented with a medallion inscribed with the Program’s mission, “A Search for New Heroes.”
About The Computerworld Honors Program
Founded by International Data Group (IDG) in 1988, The Computerworld Honors Program is governed by the not-for-profit Computerworld Information Technology Awards Foundation. Computerworld Honors is the longest-running global program to honor individuals and organizations that use information technology to promote positive social, economic and educational change. Additional information about the program and a Global Archive of past Laureate case studies and oral histories of Leadership Award recipients can be found at the Computerworld Honors website http://events.computerworld.com/2012Honors.
About SAFE-BioPharma
For more information on the SAFE-BioPharma standard for digital identity and digital signatures used in life science and healthcare settings, visit http://www.safe-biopharma.org.
SAFE-BioPharma® is a trademark of SAFE-BioPharma Association. Any use of this trademark requires approval from SAFE-BioPharma Association
