International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) is the leading global professional association for people working in Information and Communications Technologies and Sciences. Established by UNESCO in 1960 and recognised by the United Nations, IFIP represents ICT professional associations from 56 countries and regions with a total membership of over half a million. It also brings together more than 3,500 scientists from industry and academia, organising them into over 100 Working Groups and 13 Technical Committees which conduct research, develop standards and promote information sharing. Based in Austria, IFIP sponsors over 100 conferences each year, fostering the distribution of research and knowledge to academics and industry practitioners alike.