The Future of Biotechnology Crime: A Parallel Delphi Study with Non-Traditional Experts

BACKGROUND: The way science is practiced is changing and forecasting biotechnology crime trends remains a challenge as future misuses become more sophisticated. METHODS: A parallel Delphi study was conducted to elicit future biotechnology scenarios from two groups of experts. Traditional experts, such as professionals in national security/intelligence, were interviewed. They were asked to forecast emerging crime trends facilitated by biotechnology and what should be done to safeguard against them. Non-traditional experts, such as “biohackers” who experiment with biotechnology in unexpected ways, were also interviewed. The study entailed three rounds to obtain consensus on (i) biotechnology misuse anticipated and (ii) potential prevention strategies expected. RESULTS: Traditional and non-traditional experts strongly agreed that misuse is anticipated within the cyber-infrastructure of, for example, medical devices and hospitals, through breaches and corporate espionage. Preventative steps that both groups strongly advocated involved increasing public biosecurity literacy, and funding towards addressing biotechnology security. Both groups agreed that the responsibility for mitigation includes government bodies. Non-traditional experts generated more scenarios and had a greater diversity of views. DISCUSSION: A systematic, anonymous and independent interaction with a diverse panel of experts provided meaningful insights for anticipating emerging trends in biotechnology crime. A multi-sector intervention strategy is proposed

Challenges to Ethnos (έθνος) in a Global Society

Challenges to Ethnos (έθνος) in a Global Society Ethnos is a broad term, often understood as an element in nation making, or else an umbrella term for the processes of building the modern nation. The academic discussion around ethnos nowadays is being challenged not only by the principles of globalization, and with them a possibility of a global village, where nations will or will not have an important role, but also the efforts to establish states based on faith and strong ideology on the part of some right wing parties or the supporters of the Muslim caliphate. This article presents a short study on the problems created by globalization and discusses the parameters of possible influences imposed on the nation by world coalitions and associations. It addresses questions like: Can the nation survive in a globalized society? What kinds of nations might be developed in the future? Is the Greek ethnos compatible with these developments? What is the relation of radicalization and terrorism to nation building?   Ethnos (έθνος) a wyzwania społeczeństwa globalnego Ethnos jest terminem o szerokim zakresie semantycznym, zwykle rozumianym jako jeden z elementów, z których konstruuje się naród, albo przeciwnie jako termin-worek na określenie procesu budowy nowoczesnego narodu. Dzisiejsze dyskusje naukowe wokół terminu ethnos odbywają się w obliczu wyzwań związanych nie tylko z potencjalną globalną wioską, w której narody mogą odgrywać ważną rolę lub też jej nie odgrywać, lecz również z podejmowanymi przez partie prawicowe czy zwolenników muzułmańskiego kalifatu próbami budowania silnie zideologizowanych państw opartych na religii. Niniejszy artykuł jest krótkim studium problemów związanych z globalizacją, rozważa także zakres możliwego wpływu światowych koalicji i stowarzyszeń na narody. Formułuję szereg pytań, jak choćby: Czy narody mają szansę przeżyć w społeczeństwie globalnym? Jaki rodzaj narodów wykształci się w przyszłości? Jaki los czeka w związku z tym grecki ethnos? Jakie są relacje pomiędzy radykalizacją i terroryzmem a procesem budowania narodów

Cyber Security Active Defense: Playing with Fire or Sound Risk Management

“Banks Remain the Top Target for Hackers, Report Says,” is the title of an April 2013 American Banker article. Yet, no new comprehensive U.S. cyber legislation has been enacted since 2002, and neither legislative history nor the statutory language of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) or Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) make reference to the Internet. Courts have nevertheless filled in the gaps—sometimes with surprising results

What is CSR? - a review of different theoretical perspectives and case studies of Cheminova and Systematic

No abstract;No keywords;

Ready or Not? Protecting the Public's Health From Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism, 2011

Highlights examples of preparedness programs and capacities at risk of federal budget cuts or elimination, examines state and local public health budget cuts, reviews ten years of progress and shortfalls, and outlines policy issues and recommendations

Challenges to Ethnos (έθνος) in a Global Society

Challenges to Ethnos (έθνος) in a Global SocietyEthnos is a broad term, often understood as an element in nation making, or else an umbrella term for the processes of building the modern nation. The academic discussion around ethnos nowadays is being challenged not only by the principles of globalization, and with them a possibility of a global village, where nations will or will not have an important role, but also the efforts to establish states based on faith and strong ideology on the part of some right wing parties or the supporters of the Muslim caliphate. This article presents a short study on the problems created by globalization and discusses the parameters of possible influences imposed on the nation by world coalitions and associations. It addresses questions like: Can the nation survive in a globalized society? What kinds of nations might be developed in the future? Is the Greek ethnos compatible with these developments? What is the relation of radicalization and terrorism to nation building? Ethnos (έθνος) a wyzwania społeczeństwa globalnegoEthnos jest terminem o szerokim zakresie semantycznym, zwykle rozumianym jako jeden z elementów, z których konstruuje się naród, albo przeciwnie jako termin-worek na określenie procesu budowy nowoczesnego narodu. Dzisiejsze dyskusje naukowe wokół terminu ethnos odbywają się w obliczu wyzwań związanych nie tylko z potencjalną globalną wioską, w której narody mogą odgrywać ważną rolę lub też jej nie odgrywać, lecz również z podejmowanymi przez partie prawicowe czy zwolenników muzułmańskiego kalifatu próbami budowania silnie zideologizowanych państw opartych na religii. Niniejszy artykuł jest krótkim studium problemów związanych z globalizacją, rozważa także zakres możliwego wpływu światowych koalicji i stowarzyszeń na narody. Formułuję szereg pytań, jak choćby: Czy narody mają szansę przeżyć w społeczeństwie globalnym? Jaki rodzaj narodów wykształci się w przyszłości? Jaki los czeka w związku z tym grecki ethnos? Jakie są relacje pomiędzy radykalizacją i terroryzmem a procesem budowania narodów

Cyber defensive capacity and capability::A perspective from the financial sector of a small state

This thesis explores ways in which the financial sectors of small states are able todefend themselves against ever-growing cyber threats, as well as ways these states can improve their cyber defense capability in order to withstand current andfuture attacks. To date, the context of small states in general is understudied. This study presents the challenges faced by financial sectors in small states with regard to withstanding cyberattacks. This study applies a mixed method approach through the use of various surveys, brainstorming sessions with financial sector focus groups, interviews with critical infrastructure stakeholders, a literature review, a comparative analysis of secondary data and a theoretical narrative review. The findings suggest that, for the Aruban financial sector, compliance is important, as with minimal drivers, precautionary behavior is significant. Countermeasures of formal, informal, and technical controls need to be in place. This study indicates the view that defending a small state such as Aruba is challenging, yet enough economic indicators indicate it not being outside the realm of possibility. On a theoretical level, this thesis proposes a conceptual “whole-of-cyber” model inspired by military science and the VSM (Viable Systems Model). The concept of fighting power components and governance S4 function form cyber defensive capacity’s shield and capability. The “whole-of-cyber” approach may be a good way to compensate for the lack of resources of small states. Collaboration may be an only out, as the fastest-growing need will be for advanced IT skillsets

Procrastination on social networking sites: types, triggers, and socio-technical countermeasures.

Procrastination has become an important field in academic research and refers to a voluntary delay in performing tasks that need to be done. Procrastination can lead to negative consequences such as low academic performance, low work productivity and anxiety. Numerous studies have examined the factors that may lead people to procrastinate, such as low self-efficacy, low self-regulation and low self-esteem. Social networking sites (SNSs) may facilitate procrastination; for example, notifications could be a distraction that promotes procrastination for people, preventing them from performing their original tasks. This Thesis aims to understand how procrastination on SNS occurs, the role of SNS design in triggering it and how to engineer social media to combat it through existing and novel features. Then, this knowledge will be used to develop a method to combat procrastination on SNS. This method will be informed by psychological theories as well as technical and socio-technical countermeasures. To achieve this goal, a mixed methods approach was conducted with SNS users, including focus groups and diary studies, co-design sessions and surveys. The results of these studies helped to develop a method that helps users to gain more control over their procrastination on SNS. The developed method is supported by persuasive techniques including reminders and suggestions, which help to persuade users to change their usage style without forcing them toward the change. Finally, the developed method was evaluated with SNS users who self-declared as procrastinators on SNS. The evaluation study examines five aspects: clarity, procrastination awareness, coverage, effectiveness and acceptance. The results demonstrated that the combating procrastination on SNS method (D-Crastinate) helps to improve users’ control over their procrastination