A hi-tech computer encryption conference will come to the Island for the first time next year in a move that could put Bermuda on the world map for this cutting-edge technology.

The Financial Cryptography Conference 2002 will be holding its sixth annual event at the Sonesta in March next year after being hosted in Anguilla and the Cayman Islands for the past five years.

And the event, which is expected to bring in more than 100 experts in the field and deals with the various ways of keeping information on the Internet safe, could make Bermuda its permanent home if the venue is considered a success.

Nicko van Someren, who is the general chairman of the conference, and was in Bermuda preparing for next year's event this week, told The Royal Gazette: "I had never been to Bermuda before this trip, and the infrastructure offered here is just what we want for the conference. We have not made any plans for the following year, but if it is successful, we may come back."

Mr. van Someren, who is also the chief technical officer of nCipher, first became aware of the possibilities when Andrea Wilson of First Atlantic Commerce attended one of the conferences. She suggested he get in touch with Bermuda International Business Association, and from there he was put in touch with local conference organiser Starla Williams of Select Sites Group.

Mrs. Williams said: "I have spoken to people in this field and they have said this is going to put Bermuda on the map."

Hot topics at the event will be security issues arising from September 11, and bringing researchers and those developing the software together with professionals looking to use the services.

"The big firms are developing new security systems following the attacks," said Mr. van Someren. "And it is in banking, financial services, insurance and brokerage firms. How do you get somebody to pay for screening media? How to you control the use of it? There is a lot of interest in areas like anonymity of payment. There are two sides to this, those who think it is a God-given right to be anonymous and some people who have security concerns about money laundering."

And he said that while IT generally had a bad year, there has been a lot of interest in cryptology and safeguards for information on the Internet.

The event will take place between March 11 and 14. More information can be found at www.fc02.ai.