Everyone is affected by the assurance placed in computer systems. If your business depends on the services or data of a computer system; if your life is affected by decisions made by computers; if any computer is trusted to protect your personal information, then you are a stakeholder in assurance. In most cases your reliance on the security features of these systems is unfounded.
The purpose of WITAT is to generate interest and concern of the stakeholders in assurance. Stakeholders need to demand assurance. In addition, further research (and funds for research) is required. The WITAT series of meetings are designed to provide guidance on focusing the research into the development of assurance.