Misuse case modeling for secure e-tendering system

Tendering process is utilized by principal to invited capable tenderer to participate in competitive bid for winning a large project.Due to advent of IT infrastructure, E-tendering is introduced and adopted in many countries. Yet, an electronic environment did not promise curbing collusion between principal and certain tenderers. Other than common threats to system like security breaches by malicious parties, security issue related to ethical issue like fraud and repudiation issue where no evidence existed to denied it.In this paper, common threats for e-tendering process altogether with security countermeasure are described. This three interrelated attribute (consist of tender phase, threat and security countermeasure) are illustrated in misuse case for better understanding of the risk that may occurs in particular tender phase. Furthermore, it sought to ease the system developer for designing and constructing a secure e-tendering system

A Secured Model of E-Tendering Using Unified Modeling Language Approach

E-Tendering systems remain uncertain on issues relating to legal and security compliance, in which unclear security framework is one of the issues. In te current situation, tendering systems are lacking in addressing integrity, confidentiality, authentication, and non-repudiation. Thus, ensuring the system requirements, consider security and trust issues has to be regarded as one of the challenges in developing an e-Tendering system. Therefore, this paper a model of a secured e-Tendering system using Unified Modeling Language (UML) approach. The modelling process begins with identifying the e-Tendering process, which is based on Australian Standard Code of Tendering (AS 4120-1994). It is followed by identifying the security threats and its countermeasure. The use case approach has been proven reliable in determining appropriate requirements for handling security issues. Having considered that, the outcome of this paper is a secured e-Tendering model. The model can guide developers as well as other researchers

DEVELOPMENT OF A WEB-BASED TENDERING PROTOCOL FOR PROCUREMENT OF CONSTRUCTION WORKS IN A TERTIARY INSTITUTION.

There are myriads of ICT tools in the construction industry but many construction procurement organizations are yet to harness the benefits. Tertiary institutions that are at the forefront of accountability, transparency and openness, engage in a lot of construction works but majority of them do not have eprocurement sites. The aim of the study was to develop a web-based tendering protocol for procurement of construction works in a tertiary institution. The development of a web app and a survey research design was carried out for the study. For the latter, a questionnaire instrument distributed to the client representatives and contracting firms operating within a renowned tertiary institution through a convenience sampling method was utilized. A total of 58 questionnaires were returned between the two groups. The study tested hypotheses using Mann Whitney-U and T-test. The result revealed that there are no significant differences between client representatives and contractors on e-readiness and importance of implementing e-tendering in the procurement of construction works. The study developed a web-based tendering system for procurement of construction works in a tertiary institution using PHP, MYSQL, CSS and HTML. The study recommended the increase in awareness of e-tendering platforms through trainings and implementation and stakeholders should take hold of the benefits of ICT in the construction industry. There is need to create official e-tendering sites for both public and private institutions for the purpose of procurement of construction works to encourage competitiveness among different classes of contractors, enhancing transparency, accountability and proper documentation

E-MATURITY OF CONSTRUCTION STAKEHOLDERS FOR A WEB-BASED E-PROCUREMENT PLATFORM IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

It is been over 40 years since the introduction of ICT tools and systems into the construction industry, yet construction organizations are still unable to obtain the many potential benefits of ICT investment. The purpose of the study was to investigate the e-maturity of construction stakeholders for a web-based e-procurement platform in the construction industry. The study utilized an attitudinal survey research design and the design of a web-based e-procurement platform. Using a system block design and a use case diagram in relation with PHP programming language, MySQL, CSS and HTML a web-based e-procurement platform for tendering purposes in the construction process was developed. The study was conducted within a private tertiary institution in South-Western Nigeria that has the desire to exploit the potentials of a web-based e-procurement system. The sample size of one hundred (100) respondents were selected through a non-probabilistic sampling method, while a questionnaire instrument was administered. Statistical tools such as Stacked Bar chart, percentage, Wilcoxon signed rank test and Kolmogorov-Smirnov test were used to analyze the data obtained. The study revealed that there is no significant difference in the e-maturity between client and contractor for a web-based e-procurement platform for tendering purposes within the institution. The study showed that the tertiary institution and its registered contractors have the same positive perspective on the benefits of utilizing a web-based e-procurement solution for tendering purposes. In conclusion, the study developed a prototype web-based e-procurement platform for tendering purposes that can be utilized for construction works within the tertiary institution. The study recommended the use of web-based e-procurement platforms due to the many benefits that can be acquired from its use. In addition, the construction industry should readily embrace ICT solutions in order to solve diverse challenges pervading the industry

A fair e-tendering protocol

Implementation of an electronic tendering (e-tendering) systems requires careful attention to the needs of the system and its various participants. Fairness in an e-tendering is of utmost importance. Current proposals and implementations do not provide fairness and thus, are vulnerable to collusion and favourism. Dishonest participants, either the principal or tenderer may collude to alter or view competing tenders which would give the favoured tenderer a greater chance of winning the contract. This paper proposes an e-tendering system that is secure and fair to all participants. We employ the techniques of anonymous token system along with signed commitment approach to achieve a publicly verifiable fair e-tendering protocol. We also provide an analysis of the protocol that confirms the security of our proposal against security goals for an e-tendering system