Web Services and Web Services Security

Web services are self-contained modular applications that provide a computation upon request. These services can be described, published, located, and invoked over a network, generally over the Internet. However, intranets, extranets, and LANs can also be used. as well. In using web services for its information systems needs, a firm may open access to its information assets. This action can become an attractive target for malicious hackers, industrial espionage, and fraud. The assurance of security of web services is necessary for a firm to be willing to adopt the web services technology as a means of running its information systems