On the State of Crypto-Agility

The demand for crypto-agility, although dating back for more than two decades, recently started to increase in the light of the expected post-quantum cryptography (PQC) migration. Nevertheless, it started to evolve into a science on its own. Therefore, it is important to establish a unified definition of the notion, as well as its related aspects, scope, and practical applications. This paper presents a literature survey on crypto-agility and discusses respective development efforts categorized into different areas, including requirements, characteristics, and possible challenges. We explore the need for crypto-agility beyond PQC algorithms and security protocols and shed some light on current solutions, existing automation mechanisms, and best practices in this field. We evaluate the state of readiness for crypto-agility, and offer a discussion on the identified open issues. The results of our survey indicate a need for a comprehensive understanding. Further, more agile design paradigms are required in developing new IT systems, and in refactoring existing ones, in order to realize crypto-agility on a broad scale

The eIDAS Regulation: A Survey of Technological Trends for European Electronic Identity Schemes

The eIDAS regulation aims to provide an interoperable European framework to enable EU citizens to authenticate and communicate with services of other Member States by using their national electronic identity. While a number of high-level requirements (e.g., related to privacy and security) are established to make interoperability among Member States possible, the eIDAS regulation does not explicitly specify the technologies that can be adopted during the development phase to meet the requirements as mentioned earlier. To the best of our knowledge, there is no work available in the literature investigating the technological trends within the notified eIDAS electronic identity schemes used by Member States. To fill this gap, this paper analyzes how the different technological trends of notified schemes satisfy the requirements of the eIDAS regulation. To do this, we define a set of research questions that allow us to investigate the correlations between different design dimensions such as security, privacy, and usability. Based on these findings, we provide a set of lessons learned that would be valuable to the security community, as they can provide useful insights on how to more efficiently protect interoperable national digital identities. Furthermore, we provide a brief overview regarding the new eIDAS regulation (eIDAS 2.0) that aims to provide a more privacy-preserving electronic identity solution by moving from a centralized approach to a decentralized one

Three Essays on the Role of IT in Environmental Sustainability: Motivating Individuals to Use Green IT, Enhancing Their User Experience, and Promoting Electricity Conservation

This dissertation focuses on the role of IT in environmental sustainability and electricity conservation through three research essays. The first essay makes a case for behavior research, with the focus on individuals\u27 use of Green IT. Moreover, environmental studies lack a coherent theory that could identify the motivators of Green-IT beliefs. We develop the hedonic motivation theory, which synthesizes theoretical and philosophical thoughts on hedonism with concepts from environmental research. Using this theory, we develop a conceptual model that identifies the motivators of context-specific beliefs, attitudes, and uses of Green IT. We theorize that there are significant generational differences in the process by which hedonic motivators influence Green IT use behaviors. Young adults are more motivated by personal hedonic motivation, and an affective and automatic process, whereas older adults are motivated by a cognitive and attitudinal process. This study was carried out using a structural equation modeling method of analysis based on 702 observations of the survey data. The results support the theorized model, with significant implications. The second essay examines the design taxonomy of electricity consumption feedback applications, which are considered one of the critical technologies in alleviating the increasing trends of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. We relied on an integrative theoretical framework and literature review to propose a comprehensive taxonomy for salient design elements of electricity consumption feedback applications. Using a survey method, we collected data from general public to evaluate the preference and relative importance of the design elements. We found that there is a preferred set of design elements for the feedback applications. Our results could serve as a basis to evaluate the design of existing electricity consumption feedback applications, and to help in studying the influence of design elements on beliefs and behaviors related to individuals\u27 electricity conservation. The third essay investigates the role of the salient design elements identified in the second essay, and the processes by which these elements motivate electricity consumers\u27 behaviors towards energy conservation. We developed a conceptual framework by extending the theory of planned behavior to study how salient design elements of feedback applications impact the beliefs and behaviors of individual electricity consumers. To our knowledge, this is the first study aimed at examining the relationship between electricity consumers\u27 beliefs and behaviors and the specific perceived design elements of electricity consumption feedback applications. We empirically evaluated the conceptual model by developing a mobile app and a corresponding website and conducting a controlled longitudinal lab experiment. The results indicate strong support for the premises of the model and support the significant role of personalized design elements in use behaviors and electricity conservation. Our findings show the importance of integrating descriptive social norm, personalized goal setting, and personalized privacy preferences design elements in feedback applications. This dissertation makes a number of significant contributions to theory and application. First, it develops a new theory that identifies motivators of Green IT use. It shows that the conceptualized motivators impact use behaviors though multiple paths--the cognitive and emotional automatic paths-- and are moderated by users\u27 age. Second, this work develops a taxonomy of design elements for electricity consumption feedback applications based on an integrative theoretical framework and extensive review of the existing literature. This taxonomy and the relative importance of elements in the taxonomy could serve as the standard for developing and assessing feedback application tools. Third, this work develops a conceptual model that identifies the processes by which design elements of electricity consumption feedback applications help in the conservation of electricity by individuals. Together, the three essays contribute to the sustainability and Green IT literature by uncovering the significant role of individuals in dealing with environmental threats and energy consumption challenges and by conceptualizing the different antecedents and processes that shape the perceptions and behaviors related to Green IT and electricity consumption. Moreover, the three studies extend user-centric design research by integrating insights from multiple disciplines to explain, design, create, and test innovative tools that could have a pivotal role in dealing with global sustainability challenges. This work also provides a standard for the evaluation of such tools from multiple stakeholder perspectives. Finally, the three essays contribute to practice by proposing guidelines to industry designers and policy makers for promoting sustainability and energy conservation through personalized tools and effective campaigns

The strategic value of the balanced scorecard in the networked economy

Thesis (D. Tech.) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2007Success in today’s competitive business environment demands innovative approaches. Organisations must be able to react effectively and make informed decisions in order to be in the best position to take advantage of collaborated business opportunities in the organisation’s external network. The results of strategic decisions are affected by the strategic choices that are made and how successfully those objectives are implemented. In many cases the strategies have mediocre success or fail to achieve what they set out to do due to the failure to formulate and implement strategies that enhance the development of a sustainable competitive advantage in the long term. The case study organisation, MultiChoice Africa (Pty) Limited, serves as an example in understanding the knowledge base imperative in utilising strategic management instruments such as Kaplan and Norton’s (1996a: 8-18, 224-292) Balanced Scorecard to guide leadership in creating real-time value, thereby creating a sustainable competitive advantage. Balanced Scorecards have largely been developed and applied to internal managerial purposes, though they are seldom used for external marketing. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the strategic value of the Balanced Scorecard in the networked economy, utilising a case study design by following a phenomenological paradigm approach. The outcome was based on a pre- and postanalysis of the implementation of the Balanced Scorecard within the case study organisation, focusing on the perceived value towards overcoming the barriers to strategy implementation, developing a competitive advantage and sustaining this advantage. Sustainability was specifically defined and tested against the environment and ethical behaviour as the results indicated that a link exists between sustainable competitive advantage and the appropriate utilisation of the Balanced Scorecard. Research results suggest that respondents appear to be enthusiastic and have started the process of transforming the organisation into a ‘Balanced Scorecard organisation’. The main advantages included an increased awareness of vision, linking operational tasks to strategic employees’ participation and flexibility. Shortcomings, on the other hand, included the perceived lack of contribution of the Balanced Scorecard to the final outcome as well as to the transformation process. A number of limitations were evident in the design, deployment and utilisation of the Balanced Scorecard in overcoming the barriers to strategy implementation and how to gain a sustainable competitive advantage in the networked economy. Important aspects surrounding employees and stakeholders were also highlighted as the design of the case study organisation’s original Balanced Scorecard is based on its value chain. However, due to the networked economy and its implications for the organisation, the Balanced Scorecard architecture should be modified to make provision for a networked design. These modifications should incorporate additional constructs that need to be taken into consideration when creating larger networks and establishing collaborative communities of practice. Key to the organisation’s future strategic value and intent is the successful implementation of change management (transformation) as a driver into the application of the Balanced Scorecard in the networked economy. Insight gained was used to propose a theoretical model based on global business landscape demands, utilising new and innovative strategies and business model architectures that require the convergence of aggregated metrics of all role players in the borderless network, as outlined in the ‘Networked Balanced Scorecard’ theoretical model. The theoretical model outlines how organisations can reform and integrate their Balanced Scorecards to support strategy formulation, implementation and control. It therefore supports sustainable competitive advantage and is based on embracing components of competitive intelligence and collaboration in the networked economy. It is thus suggested that organisations can no longer implement sustainable competitive advantage strategies in isolation, but need to focus on organisational development strategies that encapsulate the network concomitance structure and architecture, thereby attaining the new value proposition for strategic intent

A Review of Performance Measures in a JIT Environment

With the ever changing environment that manufacturing companles face, there is an increased need for revisions to existing performance measures in a Just-In-Time environment. In order to accurately assess the status of their performance measures, companies need to consider their corporate mission, objectives, strategies, and critical success factors. Although making appropriate revisions to old performance measures is not an easy task, many similarities between manufacturing companies can serve as helpful guidelines. There are five common critical success factors in all manufacturing companies. These factors can help guide a company in developing its revised performance measures. Another established method for developing performance measures is to follow the balanced scorecard approach. The following thesis discusses all of the elements involved in reviewing performance measures in a JIT environment.B.S. (Bachelor of Science

Transmedia Storytelling for the Digital Generation: A Guide for Self-Publication with the Adobe® Digital Publishing Suite.

Despite educational reforms, the annual results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress continue to indicate that the majority of American fourth-graders struggle to master the crucial skill of reading. In the last decade, the percentage of students who read at or above a proficient level hovers around 30 percent, which draws attention to the fact that the academic institutions may not be fully to blame for the decline of reading competency (NAEP, 2011). The real reason for the incompetency could be attributed to the amount of time that children spend reading as average fourth-graders spend less than two hours a week reading (Juster, Ono, & Stafford, 2004, p. 11). This Digital Generation lives in a world full of distractions in which reading cannot compete. Although the American educational system is stressing reading instruction, children are not putting what they are learning into practice outside of school. Instead of reading, children immerse themselves into the world of interactive digital media and electronic devices. If children do not increase the time they spend reading, their proficiency will not improve. To revive reading within the Digital Generation, authors of children’s literature may need to reevaluate their role in the literacy problem because their traditional print-form content appears to be unsuccessful in reaching their young audience. To create reading material that children are eager to read, authors need to produce content in a format that will entice a response from the newest generation. One way children’s authors can accomplish this is by publishing transmedia storytelling ecosystems. By combining storytelling with digital media to meet the modern literary needs of today\u27s children reading proficiency should begin to improve, along with a renewed interest in literature. This research provides insight into today’s “digital children” and suggests a methodology for creating transmedia literature using the Adobe® Digital Publishing Suite

The dynamics of digital platform innovation: unfolding the paradox of control and generativity in Apple's iOS

Mobile digital platforms provide an architectural basis for third party innovation of platform complements. Platform owners have property rights, enabling them to establish a boundary of permissible innovation demarcating the permitted from the prohibited. This allows for the curation of complements, which provides a means of controlling for value creation. Consequently, platform innovationthe innovation of platform complements is occasionally refused by platform owners. When this occurs tensions may arise between the two parties over where the boundary of permissible innovation should lie. Tussles may break out, embodied in complex interactions, as each party attempts to get its way. Eventually an outcome is achieved, and a platform innovation is either allowed or prohibited. A body of platform innovation literature is emerging from fields including information systems. Whilst this literature considers many aspects of platform innovation, the dynamics concerning the control of the innovation of platform innovation complements is overlooked. This research attempts to address that gap. Its relevance to information systems concerns the digitalisation of platforms as systemsdigital infrastructures, which affects their capacity for innovation and regulation. This research uses the method of narrative networks to analyse 45 examples of contested platform innovation. This approach, informed by empirical data sourced from over 4500 blog entries, identifies patterned sequences of actions across the examples. These sequences describe how tension builds, how control is asserted, and how control is then resisted. A theory of formal managerial control is used to explain how mechanisms of control are applied by platform owners as well as how developers respond to control. The principle contribution of this research is to theory. It develops and presents a theory to describe and explain the dynamics of contested innovation of complements on curated digital platforms. In doing so, iIt challenges the understanding that the platform owner alone controls platform design rules and concerning which platform complements are allowed, and which are notthe boundary of permissible innovation. Furthermore, tThe study indicates opens up the possibility that the forces of digitalisation provide third parties with the power to affect influence platform architecture, but at the cost of additional means of being controlled

Pupils as leaders - It is not all about wearing a badge

How can we help our youth to develop their leadership skills and behaviours? When pupils are given leadership roles in school they mature quicker. Yet, pupils perceive leadership as a relational process rather than solely involving someone in a formal badge-wearing position. To explore pupil leadership perceptions and its relationship to wellbeing and hope, sense of school membership and academic self-regulation, a research study was conducted at Sevenoaks School by Dr. Ceri Sims (Chartered Psychologist, Buckinghamshire New University) and Paul Thompson (Head of Geography, Sevenoaks School, Kent - pictured). The survey was completed by just under 250 pupils

A hybrid model for managing personal health records in South Africa

Doctors can experience difficulty in accessing medical information of new patients. One reason for this is that the management of medical records is mostly institution-centred. The lack of access to medical information may negatively affect patients in several ways. These include new medical tests that may need to be carried out at a cost to the patient and doctors prescribing drugs to which the patient is allergic. This research investigates how patients can play an active role in sharing their personal health records (PHRs) with doctors located in geographically separate areas. In order to achieve the goal of this research, existing literature concerning medical health records and standards was reviewed. A literature review of techniques that can be used to ensure privacy of health information was also undertaken. Interview studies were carried out with three medical practices in Port Elizabeth with the aim of contextualising the findings from the literature study. The Design Science Research methodology was used for this research. A Hybrid Model for Managing Personal Health Records in South Africa is proposed. This model allows patients to view their PHRs on their mobile phones and medical practitioners to manage the patients’ PHRs using a web-based application. The patients’ PHR information is stored both on a cloud server and on mobile devices hence the hybrid nature. Two prototypes were developed as a proof of concept; a mobile application for the patients and a web-based application for the medical practitioners. A field study was carried out with the NMMU health services department and 12 participants over a period of two weeks. The results of the field study were highly positive. The successful evaluation of the prototypes provides empirical evidence that the proposed model brings us closer to the realisation of ubiquitous access to PHRS in South Africa