Privacy-preserving Sanitization in Data Sharing

In the era of big data, the prospect of analyzing, monitoring and investigating all sources of data starts to stand out in every aspect of our life. The benefit of such practices becomes concrete only when analysts or investigators have the information shared from data owners. However, privacy is one of the main barriers that disrupt the sharing behavior, due to the fear of disclosing sensitive information. This dissertation describes data sanitization methods that disguise the sensitive information before sharing a dataset and our criteria are always protecting privacy while preserving utility as much as possible. In particular, we provide solutions for tasks that require different types of shared data. In the case of sharing partial content of a dataset, we consider the problem of releasing a database under retention restrictions such that the auditing job can still be carried out. While obeying a retention policy often results in the wholesale destruction of the audit log in existing solutions, our framework allows to expire data at a fine granularity and supports audit queries on a database with incompleteness. Secondly, in the case of sharing the entire dataset, we solve the problem of untrusted system evaluation using released database synthesis under differential privacy. Our synthetic database accurately preserves the core performance measures of a given query workload, and satisfies differential privacy with crucial extensions to multi-relation databases. Lastly, in the case of sharing derived information from the data source, we focus on distributing results of network modeling under differential privacy. Our mechanism can safely output estimated parameters of the exponential random graph model, by employing a decomposition of the estimation problem into two steps: getting private sufficient statistics first and then estimating the model parameters. We show that our privacy mechanism provides provably less error than common baselines and our redesigned estimation algorithm offers better accuracy

Developing an e-records readiness framework for labour organisation in Botswana

The application of information communication technologies (ICTs) in records management in many organisations underscores the need for the assessment of e-records readiness. This provides a useful guide in benchmarking, gauging progress and comprehending e-records management. This study examined e-record readiness in labour organisations with a view to proposing a framework for labour organisations in Botswana. The study was largely guided by a quantitative paradigm and used a survey research strategy. This was complemented by methodological triangulation of both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. All the 50 registered labour organisations in Botswana were surveyed, 45 of which responded, representing a response rate of 90%. Data was obtained through structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, document review and observations. The study established that e-records readiness in labour organisations in Botswana was evident, low and evolving, evidenced by the slow adoption of ICTs; inadequate records management standards and practices; and low integration in the national e-readiness framework. The study confirmed that most labour organisations had embraced the utilisation of ICTs in their work; exhibited some form of records management function and acknowledged the existence of national policy directives and strategies on e-readiness. However, traditional ICTs mainly the fax and telephone, were more prevalently adopted and used than newer ones such as e-mail and the Internet. The use of social media technology (Web 2.0 - Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter) was yet to be explored. The management of both paper-based and electronic records was not satisfactory and fell short of best recognised records management standards and practice. The integration of labour organisations into national e-readiness initiatives as espoused in key policy proclamations within the context of the pursuance of a holistic knowledge and information society was slow and remained challenging. In order to foster successful e-records readiness in labour organisations, several recommendations were advanced that underscored effective ICT adoption and use, implementation of best records management practices and rigorous integration of labour organisations into the information and knowledge society in Botswana. In addition, an integrated framework for examining and understanding e-records readiness in labour organisations was proposed and documented.Information ScienceD. Litt. et Phil. (Information Science

The life and death of Section 44 (Stop and Search) Terrorism Act 2000

This professional doctorate is about the life (inception), the utilisation (implementation) and ultimately the death (repeal) of a highly controversial and unpopular counter terrorism stop and search power (Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000) that was deployed within the United Kingdom. At the time of writing this professional doctorate the United Kingdom (UK) threat level stands at SUBSTANTIAL. This means that the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JT AC), MI5 have assessed the intelligence that it holds and has reported to the Home Secretary that 'A TERRORIST ATTACK IS A STRONG POSSIBILITY'. However, at the peak of the utilisation in 2005, following the horrific terrorist attacks in London on the 7th July (717) the threat was raised to SEVERE, which meant that JTAC assessed the treat as: 'AN ATTACK IS HIGHLY UKELY'. It must be acknowledged that the concept of utilising exceptional, reconfigured and controversial counter terrorism stop and search powers in a largely conservative society that prides itself on its freedom of speech, freedom of movement and freedom to protest was always going to be a delicate balancing act for the UK Government, Police and Police Authorities. This professional doctorate is about that balancing act and ultimately why the Government and the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) got it so badly wrong. This professional doctorate makes a contribution to the body of knowledge in the field of stop and search by providing an insight into how the wider Policing Service managed and deployed those counter terrorism powers, whilst attempting to reassure the community. The problems encountered, when overlaying such controversial tactics and the importance of winning, gaining and maintaining the trust and confidence in those tactics from all communities. This professional doctorate has reviewed, examined and analysed past and present thinking and practices within the counter terrorism environment surrounding the use of counter terrorism stop and search powers, in particular the Metropolitan Police Service. The author of this professional doctorate is in a unique position as he is the Commanding Officer for the Metropolitan Police Service Counter Terrorism Protective Security Command (S020) and was for four years the operational lead for Section 44. He remains the Senior National User (SNU) on terrorism stop and search and the MPS lead for the development and introduction of the new Section 47 A Terrorism Act 2000 (TACT) legislation

Records management practices in selected municipalities in Limpopo province of South Africa.

Doctoral degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.The high level of corruption and maladministration, lack of accountability and transparency in municipalities has become endemic and is a cause for concern in many municipalities of South Africa. The ability of any municipality to effectively perform its constitutional duties depends on the availability of relevant and comprehensive information from records. The poor state of records management in the government and public sectors in South Africa is a well-documented phenomenon. In considering poor records management practices in the public sector of South Africa, it is necessary to establish records management practices in municipalities. The purpose of this study was to examine records management practices in selected municipalities in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The underlying principle of the study was that municipalities in South Africa are mandated by legislation to manage records systematically. The study sought to establish the current records management practices in the municipalities of the Limpopo Province, to establish the level of knowledge that staff members in municipalities have of records management, to identify the activities and strategies used to support records management practices and, finally, to identify the challenges faced by municipal officials in managing records. The Records Life Cycle and Records Continuum models were adopted in the study. Data were collected from 86 registry clerks using questionnaires and from five municipal managers and six records managers using interviews in the selected municipalities in the Limpopo Province using purposive sampling. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse quantitative data to generate frequency counts, percentages, bar charts and tables while Thematic Content Analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. The ethical protocol of the University of KwaZulu-Natal was adhered to. The findings of the study revealed that paper-based records are the main formats of records created in municipalities in the Limpopo Province. The study further revealed that most of the municipal officials working with records in the selected municipalities in the Limpopo Province do not have formal qualifications in records management. It is evident from the findings of the study that while municipalities have records management policies, their employees, generally, are uninformed of their existence. The study recommends that records storage facilities in municipalities be improved to ensure that records are kept safe and conveniently accessible. Top management and political office bearers are encouraged to support effective and efficient records management practices in their municipalities. The study contributes to the body of knowledge on records management practices, especially in the context of the Limpopo Province.Author's Dedication on page vii

Federal Register

Daily publication of the U.S. Office of the Federal Register contains rules and regulations, proposed legislation and rule changes, and other notices, including "Presidential proclamations and Executive Orders, Federal agency documents having general applicability and legal effect, documents required to be published by act of Congress, and other Federal agency documents of public interest" (p. ii). Table of Contents starts on page iii