Understanding and Specifying Information Security Needs to Support the Delivery of High Quality Security Services

In this paper we present an approach for specifying and prioritizing information security requirements in organizations. It is important to prioritize security requirements since hundred per cent security is\ud not achievable and the limited resources available should be directed to satisfy the most important ones. We propose to explicitly link security requirements with the organization’s business vision, i.e. to provide business\ud rationale for security requirements. The rationale is then used as a basis for comparing the importance of different security requirements.\ud Furthermore we discuss how to integrate the aforementioned solution concepts into a service level management process for security services, which is an important step in IT Governance. We validate our approach by way of a focus group session

A Business Goal Driven Approach for Understanding and Specifying Information Security Requirements

In this paper we present an approach for specifying and prioritizing\ud information security requirements in organizations. It is important\ud to prioritize security requirements since hundred per cent security is\ud not achievable and the limited resources available should be directed to\ud satisfy the most important ones. We propose to link explicitly security\ud requirements with the organization’s business vision, i.e. to provide business\ud rationale for security requirements. The rationale is then used as a\ud basis for comparing the importance of different security requirements.\ud A conceptual framework is presented, where the relationships between\ud business vision, critical impact factors and valuable assets (together with\ud their security requirements) are shown

On a Risk Model with Surplus-dependent Premium and Tax Rates

In this paper, the compound Poisson risk model with surplus-dependent premium rate is analyzed in the taxation system proposed by Albrecher and Hipp (Blätter der DGVFM 28(1):13-28, 2007). In the compound Poisson risk model, Albrecher and Hipp (Blätter der DGVFM 28(1):13-28, 2007) showed that a simple relationship between the ruin probabilities in the risk model with and without tax exists. This so-called tax identity was later generalized to a surplus-dependent tax rate by Albrecher et al. (Insur Math Econ 44(2):304-306, 2009). The present paper further generalizes these results to the Gerber-Shiu function with a generalized penalty function involving the maximum surplus prior to ruin. We show that this generalized Gerber-Shiu function in the risk model with tax is closely related to the 'original' Gerber-Shiu function in the risk model without tax defined in a dividend barrier framework. The moments of the discounted tax payments before ruin and the optimal threshold level for the tax authority to start collecting tax payments are also examined. © 2010 The Author(s).published_or_final_versionSpringer Open Choice, 21 Feb 201

On a generalization of the risk model with Markovian claim arrivals

The class of risk models with Markovian arrival process (MAP) (see e.g., Neuts[15]) is generalized by allowing the waiting times between two successive events (which can be a change in the environmental state and/or a claim arrival) to have an arbitrary distribution. Using a probabilistic approach, we determine the solution for a class of Gerber-Shiu functions apart from some unknown constants when claim sizes have a mixed exponential distribution. Such constants are later determined using the more classic ruin-analytic approach. A numerical example is later considered to illustrate the tractability of the suggested methodology in the study of Gerber-Shiu functions. Copyright © 2011 Taylor &Francis Group, LLC.postprin

Phenotypic analyses of multi-environment data for two diverse tetraploid potato collections: comparing an academic panel with an industrial panel

Phenotypic analyses of two different association panels of tetraploid potato cultivars are presented. Association panels are sets of variously related genotypes assembled for association analysis purposes. The aims of this research were to inspect, analyse and compare two phenotypic data sets, a first step in association mapping analysis. A first panel of 205 contemporary and historical cultivars, selected to represent the commercial potato germplasm pool, was evaluated in two trials in 2006, one on sandy soil and the other on clay soil, both with two replications. It was called the academic panel. Data for the second panel with 299 genotypes were compiled from contributions from five breeding companies and included 66 locations and 18 years. Each of the participating breeding companies contributed data from their clonal selection programmes for 38 advanced breeding clones and a series of standard cultivars. It was called the industrial panel. Variance components for genotypic main effects and genotype-by-environment interactions were calculated, and estimates for the random genotypic main effects were produced. The genotypic main effects for 19 agro-morphological and quality traits were used to study trait by trait correlations within each panel. In addition, for the genotypes shared by both panels, the correlation of genetic main effects between the panels was investigated. The heritability of all traits was high and no large differences were observed between panels. Coefficients of trait variation were highly correlated (r¿=¿0.9) for both panels and trait by trait correlations in both panels showed highly similar patterns. These results demonstrate that a single-year balanced field trial as well as using breeders’ records yields robust phenotypic information that can be used in a genome-wide association study. Issues related to data management and definition of traits are discussed

Barium & related stars and their white-dwarf companions I. Giant stars

This paper provides long-period and revised orbits for barium and S stars adding to previously published ones. The sample of barium stars with strong anomalies comprise all such stars present in the Lu et al. catalogue. We find orbital motion for all barium and extrinsic S stars monitored. We obtain the longest period known so far for a spectroscopic binary involving an S star, namely 57 Peg with a period of the order of 100 - 500 yr. We present the mass distribution for the barium stars, which ranges from 1 to 3 Msun, with a tail extending up to 5 Msun in the case of mild barium stars. This high-mass tail comprises mostly high-metallicity objects ([Fe/H] >= -0.1). Mass functions are compatible with WD companions and we derive their mass distribution which ranges from 0.5 to 1 Msun. Using the initial - final mass relationship established for field WDs, we derived the distribution of the mass ratio q' = MAGB,ini / MBa (where MAGB, ini is the WD progenitor initial mass, i.e., the mass of the system former primary component) which is a proxy for the initial mass ratio. It appears that the distribution of q' is highly non uniform, and significantly different for mild and strong barium stars, the latter being characterized by values mostly in excess of 1.4, whereas mild barium stars occupy the range 1 - 1.4. We investigate as well the correlation between abundances, orbital periods, metallicities, and masses (barium star and WD companion). The 105 orbits of post-mass-transfer systems presented in this paper pave the way for a comparison with binary-evolution models.Comment: This version 2 is the one accepted by A&A, after language edition. Paper II about dwarf-Ba and subgiant-CH orbits by Escorza et al. is arXiv:1904.0409

Hertzsprung-Russell diagram and mass distribution of barium stars

With the availability of parallaxes provided by the Tycho-Gaia Astrometric Solution, it is possible to construct the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram (HRD) of barium and related stars with unprecedented accuracy. A direct result from the derived HRD is that subgiant CH stars occupy the same region as barium dwarfs, contrary to what their designations imply. By comparing the position of barium stars in the HRD with STAREVOL evolutionary tracks, it is possible to evaluate their masses, provided the metallicity is known. We used an average metallicity [Fe/H] = -0.25 and derived the mass distribution of barium giants. The distribution peaks around 2.5 Msun with a tail at higher masses up to 4.5 Msun. This peak is also seen in the mass distribution of a sample of normal K and M giants used for comparison and is associated with stars located in the red clump. When we compare these mass distributions, we see a deficit of low-mass (1 - 2 Msun) barium giants. This is probably because low-mass stars reach large radii at the tip of the red giant branch, which may have resulted in an early binary interaction. Among barium giants, the high-mass tail is however dominated by stars with barium indices of less than unity, based on a visual inspection of the barium spectral line; that is, these stars have a very moderate barium line strength. We believe that these stars are not genuine barium giants, but rather bright giants, or supergiants, where the barium lines are strengthened because of a positive luminosity effect. Moreover, contrary to previous claims, we do not see differences between the mass distributions of mild and strong barium giants.Comment: 14 pages, 17 figure

Holding the High Ground: The Operational Calculus of Torture and Coercive Interrogation

In Part I of this Article, we first consider some of the strengths and weaknesses of the partially adequate objections. In Part II, we explore torture in light of the biological distinction between pain and suffering and consider the implications of that distinction for our understanding of free will and the fighting spirit. Finally, in Part III, we suggest a more fundamental view of torture that navigates between the Scylla of naive moralizing and the Charybdis of ticking time-bombs. We propose that the debate should focus on torture\u27s effect on our country\u27s moral certainty, on the fighting spirit of our armed forces, and on our overall strategy in combating asymmetric foes and jihadist extremism. This notion of torture will cast an important part of the discussion in sharper relief while providing a clearer norm for those who make and execute policy to defend our nation from terrorism

Holding the High Ground: The Operational Calculus of Torture and Coercive Interrogation

In Part I of this Article, we first consider some of the strengths and weaknesses of the partially adequate objections. In Part II, we explore torture in light of the biological distinction between pain and suffering and consider the implications of that distinction for our understanding of free will and the fighting spirit. Finally, in Part III, we suggest a more fundamental view of torture that navigates between the Scylla of naive moralizing and the Charybdis of ticking time-bombs. We propose that the debate should focus on torture\u27s effect on our country\u27s moral certainty, on the fighting spirit of our armed forces, and on our overall strategy in combating asymmetric foes and jihadist extremism. This notion of torture will cast an important part of the discussion in sharper relief while providing a clearer norm for those who make and execute policy to defend our nation from terrorism