Secure Cloud-Edge Deployments, with Trust

Assessing the security level of IoT applications to be deployed to heterogeneous Cloud-Edge infrastructures operated by different providers is a non-trivial task. In this article, we present a methodology that permits to express security requirements for IoT applications, as well as infrastructure security capabilities, in a simple and declarative manner, and to automatically obtain an explainable assessment of the security level of the possible application deployments. The methodology also considers the impact of trust relations among different stakeholders using or managing Cloud-Edge infrastructures. A lifelike example is used to showcase the prototyped implementation of the methodology

Detecting cyber threats through social network analysis: short survey

This article considers a short survey of basic methods of social networks analysis, which are used for detecting cyber threats. The main types of social network threats are presented. Basic methods of graph theory and data mining, that deals with social networks analysis are described. Typical security tasks of social network analysis, such as community detection in network, detection of leaders in communities, detection experts in networks, clustering text information and others are considered

Early Warning Analysis for Social Diffusion Events

There is considerable interest in developing predictive capabilities for social diffusion processes, for instance to permit early identification of emerging contentious situations, rapid detection of disease outbreaks, or accurate forecasting of the ultimate reach of potentially viral ideas or behaviors. This paper proposes a new approach to this predictive analytics problem, in which analysis of meso-scale network dynamics is leveraged to generate useful predictions for complex social phenomena. We begin by deriving a stochastic hybrid dynamical systems (S-HDS) model for diffusion processes taking place over social networks with realistic topologies; this modeling approach is inspired by recent work in biology demonstrating that S-HDS offer a useful mathematical formalism with which to represent complex, multi-scale biological network dynamics. We then perform formal stochastic reachability analysis with this S-HDS model and conclude that the outcomes of social diffusion processes may depend crucially upon the way the early dynamics of the process interacts with the underlying network's community structure and core-periphery structure. This theoretical finding provides the foundations for developing a machine learning algorithm that enables accurate early warning analysis for social diffusion events. The utility of the warning algorithm, and the power of network-based predictive metrics, are demonstrated through an empirical investigation of the propagation of political memes over social media networks. Additionally, we illustrate the potential of the approach for security informatics applications through case studies involving early warning analysis of large-scale protests events and politically-motivated cyber attacks

COLLABORATING FOR COASTAL RESILIENCE: STAKEHOLDER ASSESSMENT AND PERCEPTION OF INTERDEPENDENCE IN SEABROOK, NH

Like many coastal communities, the beach and dune ecosystems in Seabrook, New Hampshire are vulnerable to storm surge, sea-level rise, and extreme weather. Fostering coastal resilience in Seabrook requires local, regional, state, and federal stakeholders to collaborate on a broad range of issues. According to alternative dispute resolution (ADR) theory, stakeholders need to recognize their interdependence to be willing to collaborate. Interdependent stakeholders are aware their interests cannot be met by working alone and that their independent actions impact one another through complex social and ecological feedback loops. ADR practitioners often conduct a stakeholder assessment(SA) as a first step in a collaborative process to evaluate the feasibility of a collaborative solution and propose an appropriate process design. In the ADR literature, little attention has been paid to the impacts the SA itself might have on participants’ perceptions. My research analyzes whether participation in a SA affects participants’ perceptions of interdependence. First, I surveyed and interviewed ADR practitioners about their practice and experience using stakeholder assessments. I found practitioners use SA for the same reasons described in the literature. Compared to the literature, ADR practitioners have a more flexible approach to the interview process and how results are reported back to stakeholders. Practitioners also discussed instances of SAs when participants seemed to increase their perceptions of interdependence by either broadening the scope of issues they considered relevant in a conflict or considering ways to meet their own interests by meeting the interests of others through integrative solutions. Next, I conducted a stakeholder assessment in Seabrook, NH on dune and beach management issues. The stakeholder groups identified include the Town of Seabrook and Rockingham County, the Seabrook Beach Village District, New Hampshire state agencies, Federal agencies, and the University of New Hampshire. Key issues for beach and dune management include dune protection, wildlife and habitat protection, beach access and recreation, and harbor dredging. The assessment recommends (1) convening an advisory group with representatives from all major stakeholder groups to work on providing input for Seabrook’s 2019 beach management plan update, (2) forming a subgroup to determine if Seabrook wants to use harbor dredge material for nourishment of Seabrook beach, (3) forming a subgroup to address gaps in scientific knowledge, outreach needs, and funding needs, and (4) reconvening the advisory group periodically to consider longer-term tasks and respond to new challenges. Finally, I conducted pre- and post-surveys to determine whether the Seabrook stakeholder assessment had an impact on participants’ perceptions of interdependence. My findings, which by necessity were based on limited survey results, support my hypothesis that participating in an assessment increases participants’ perceptions of interdependence, both in the issues they consider relevant and the other parties with whom they need to work

Social Network Analysis with sna

Modern social network analysis---the analysis of relational data arising from social systems---is a computationally intensive area of research. Here, we provide an overview of a software package which provides support for a range of network analytic functionality within the R statistical computing environment. General categories of currently supported functionality are described, and brief examples of package syntax and usage are shown.

Online Safety Nets: How Perceived Isolation Motivates Network Closure.

The feeling of being alone – and drive to vanquish that feeling – represents a common interest among theorists in communication, psychology, and sociology. Despite extensive literatures on isolation, exclusion, rejection, and loneliness, less is known about how these feelings reverberate through personal networks. Concurrently, the ascent of mobile and social technologies has generated a range of communicative possibilities that complicate our understanding of how people respond to moments of social isolation. Indeed, evolving network theories suggest that these media affordances have the potential to steer communication toward certain people and away from others. In this dissertation, I attempt to interlace this dual theoretical backdrop, integrating classic theories on the experience of social isolation with recent theories on the social implications of online affordances. I argue that perceived isolation is likely to drive people toward network closure, or what Kadushin (2012) refers to as “network safety”. I also argue that this thrust is more likely to occur in online networks that are defined by availability and awareness, such as Facebook. In order to substantiate these claims, this dissertation encompasses studies measuring online network outcomes in combination with three different versions of perceived isolation: induced exclusion (Study 1), exclusion reactivity (Study 2), and rejection sensitivity (Study 3). Altogether, the combined results indicate that feelings of isolation can shift social attention and preference toward trusted ties and core circles. Over time, these patterns suggest that people who experience more frequent and intense feelings of isolation may choose to fortify close relationships and closed communities, rather than embrace weak ties and open networks. To conclude, I contextualize the findings within other models of perceived isolation, and propose an extra component for the observed network dynamics. Expanding on this phenomenon, I theorize how certain cognitive states may operate as network switches, changing personal network motivations in a dynamic manner. With the emergence of increased availability and awareness, individuals have increased capacity to choose, and thus shift, their personal network patterns during daily life. Consequently, I call for new research on the cognitive mechanisms that underlie social network motivations, perceptions, and choices.PhDCommunication StudiesUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/133276/1/joebayer_1.pd

A critical discourse analysis of Barack Obama's campaign speech in Berlin

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Comunicação e Expressão. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Letras/Inglês e Literatura Correspondente.O uso da língua na política desempenha papel significante na divulgação das propostas e ações políticas dos governantes através de debates, campanhas e discursos políticos, por exemplo. Hoje em dia, o discurso político tem recebido maior proeminência devido a sua divulgação através da mídia e assim tem despertado um interesse maior das pessoas. O presente estudo analisa o uso da língua em um dos discursos políticos do candidato à presidência dos EUA em 2008, Barack Obama, em Berlim. Com o objetivo de investigar a forma como Obama usa a língua para ganhar projeção política e viabilizar sua candidatura à presidência, este estudo analisa o uso da língua no discurso político de Obama com base na Gramática Sistêmico-Funcional de Halliday e Matthiessen (2004) na qual a metafunção ideacional é explorada. A partir dessas evidências linguísticas, amplia-se a discussão através da Análise Crítica do Discurso por meio do conceito de Suposições de Fairclough (2003) e também das estratégias de Legitimação baseadas nos estudos de discursos políticos de Chilton (2004). Primeiro, uma macro-análise do discurso foi conduzida revelando que o discurso é constituído de onze temas principais. A partir destes onze temas, a micro-análise das 375 orações foi conduzida revelando que grande parte do discurso é composta por Processos Materiais (63% das orações) e que os Atores são compostos, na sua grande maioria, pelos Participantes Nós (referentes ao próprio Obama e aos Estados Unidos) e Outros (referentes a outros países, entidades ou ações). A micro-análise revela que os Processos Materiais constroem eventos, ações e acontecimentos significantes para legitimar o papel de Obama como um líder multirracial, com os EUA, ele mesmo, e o nós inclusivo como principais Atores. O discurso gira em torno de histórias de união, orgulho, justiça, igualdade, reconstrução, poder militar, conflito ideológico e aspirações compartilhadas pelas pessoas ao redor do mundo. Neste sentido, a análise de Suposições sugere que há uma avaliação positiva acerca do participante Nós. A análise das estratégias de Legitimação revelou que as ideologias e os objetivos políticos apresentados no discurso tendem a manter a hegemonia dos Estados Unidos, mas ao mesmo tempo tendem a dar um tom de diálogo conciliatório entre os países.The use of language in politics plays a significant role in promoting political purposes and actions of political figures through debates, campaigns and political speeches, for instance. Nowadays, political speech has received great prominence due to its publicity by the media and, thus, it has aroused great interest. The present study analyzes the use of language in one of the political speeches of the 2008 U.S. presidential candidate, Barack Obama, in Berlin. It aims at investigating the way Obama uses language to earn political projection and to enable his candidacy for the presidency of the United States. Additionally, this study analyzes the use of language in Obama#s political speech based on Systemic Functional Grammar (Halliday & Matthiessen, 2004) in which the ideational metafunction is explored. From this linguistic evidence, the discussion is broadened through Critical Discourse Analysis via Fairclough#s concept of Assumptions (2003) and also via strategies of Legitimisation based on Chilton#s political studies (2004). First, a macro analysis was carried out which reveals that the speech is constituted of eleven main themes. Taking these eleven themes into account, a micro analysis of 375 clauses was carried out revealing that most clauses in the speech are constituted of Material Processes (63% of the clauses) and Actors are mostly represented by The Self (referring to Obama and United States) and The Others (other countries, entities, or actions). The micro analysis reveals that the Material Processes construe significant events, actions and happenings to legitimate the role Obama wants to convey as a multiracial leader, with the United States, Obama himself, and the inclusive we as the main Actors. The speech revolves around stories of unity, pride, justice, equality, reconstruction, military power, ideological power, and aspirations shared by people around the world. In this sense, the analysis of Assumptions suggests that there is a positive evaluation on the participant The Self. The analysis of Legitimisation revealed that the ideologies and the political objectives presented in the speech tend to maintain the hegemony of the United States, but at the same time they tend to set a conciliatory tone among the countries