Successful Operational Cyber Security Strategies for Small Businesses

Cybercriminals threaten strategic and efficient use of the Internet within the business environment. Each year, cybercrimes in the United States cost business leaders approximately $6 billion, and globally,$445 billion. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the operational strategies chief information security officers of high-technology companies used to protect their businesses from cyberattacks. Organizational learning theory was the conceptual framework for the study. The population of the study was 3 high-technology business owners operating in Florida who have Internet expertise and successfully protected their businesses from cyberattacks. Member checking and methodological triangulation were used to valid the data gathered through semistructured interviews, a review of company websites, and social media pages. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, which supported the identification of 4 themes: effective leadership, cybersecurity awareness, reliance on third-party vendors, and cybersecurity training. The implications of this study for positive social change include a safe and secure environment for conducting electronic transactions, which may result in increased business and consumer confidence strengthened by the protection of personal and confidential information. The creation and sustainability of a safe Internet environment may lead to increased usage and trust in online business activities, leading to greater online business through consumer confidence and communication

Maritime Cybersecurity Strategies for Information Technology Specialists

Dependence on digital technology increases cyber-related risks for maritime industries. As a result, the U.S. Coast Guard network is challenged with maritime cybersecurity, both economically and for national security. Grounded in the general systems theory, the purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies information technology (IT) specialists use to implement standard practices for ensuring cyber security. The participants included six IT specialists who have successfully implemented standard practices for maritime organizations in Virginia and West Virginia. Data were collected from individual semistructured interviews and a review of 12 external organizational documents available to the public from IT specialists. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis, and three major themes emerged (a) adhering to network compliance, (b) promoting adopting cybersecurity standards and best practices, and (c) enhancing cybersecurity awareness and policies. One recommendation is for organizations to provide a strategic plan, incorporate network segmentation, and adopt crucial strategies as best practices. The implications for positive social change include the potential reduction of unauthorized exposure to maritime industry operations, improved cybersecurity awareness to better cyber-related practices, and privacy protections for the targeted population

Maritime Cybersecurity Strategies for Information Technology Specialists

Dependence on digital technology increases cyber-related risks for maritime industries. As a result, the U.S. Coast Guard network is challenged with maritime cybersecurity, both economically and for national security. Grounded in the general systems theory, the purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies information technology (IT) specialists use to implement standard practices for ensuring cyber security. The participants included six IT specialists who have successfully implemented standard practices for maritime organizations in Virginia and West Virginia. Data were collected from individual semistructured interviews and a review of 12 external organizational documents available to the public from IT specialists. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis, and three major themes emerged (a) adhering to network compliance, (b) promoting adopting cybersecurity standards and best practices, and (c) enhancing cybersecurity awareness and policies. One recommendation is for organizations to provide a strategic plan, incorporate network segmentation, and adopt crucial strategies as best practices. The implications for positive social change include the potential reduction of unauthorized exposure to maritime industry operations, improved cybersecurity awareness to better cyber-related practices, and privacy protections for the targeted population

Safety and Reliability - Safe Societies in a Changing World

The contributions cover a wide range of methodologies and application areas for safety and reliability that contribute to safe societies in a changing world. These methodologies and applications include: - foundations of risk and reliability assessment and management - mathematical methods in reliability and safety - risk assessment - risk management - system reliability - uncertainty analysis - digitalization and big data - prognostics and system health management - occupational safety - accident and incident modeling - maintenance modeling and applications - simulation for safety and reliability analysis - dynamic risk and barrier management - organizational factors and safety culture - human factors and human reliability - resilience engineering - structural reliability - natural hazards - security - economic analysis in risk managemen