Patterns for the design of secure and dependable software defined networks

In an interconnected world, cyber and physical networks face a number of challenges that need to be resolved. These challenges are mainly due to the nature and complexity of interconnected systems and networks and their ability to support heterogeneous physical and cyber components simultaneously. The construction of complex networks preserving Security and Dependability (S&D) properties is necessary to avoid system vulnerabilities, which may occur in all the different layers of Software Defined Networking (SDN) architectures. In this paper, we present a model based approach to support the design of secure and dependable SDN. This approach is based on executable patterns for designing networks able to guarantee S&D properties and can be used in SDN networks. The design patterns express conditions that can guarantee specific S&D properties and can be used to design networks that have these properties and manage them during their deployment. To evaluate our pattern approach, we have implemented executable pattern instances, in a rule-based reasoning system, and used them to design and verify wireless SDN networks with respect to availability and confidentiality. To complete this work, we propose and evaluate an implementation framework in which S&D patterns can be applied for the design and verification of SDN networks

Prevalence of hepatitis B and C markers in high-risk hospitalised patients in Crete: a five-year observational study

BACKGROUND: So far the prevalence of viral hepatitis infection in hospitalized patients has not been extensively studied. Therefore we conducted the present five-year observational study to evaluate the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection in high-risk hospitalized patients of Crete, the largest Greek island, Due to the homogeneous population, epidemiological studies can be accurately done. METHODS: The study was carried out in two out of four District General Hospitals, and in the University Hospital of the island. Markers for HBV and HCV were studied and statistically evaluated according to age, sex and geographical area, in a well-defined hospitalized population. RESULTS: The total prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HCV in the three prefectures during the five-year study is 2.66% and 4.75% respectively. Overall the relative risks were higher in males than females for each hepatitis marker (p < 0.001). Higher prevalence of HBcAb was found in the 41–60 years age group for both sexes (males 36.17%, females 27.38%). Peak HBsAg prevalence was found in the age group of 21–40 and 41–60 years for males (5.4%) and females (3.09%) respectively. Anti-HCV prevalence increases with age reaching the highest prevalence in the age group of 41–60 years for males (7.19%) and in the 61–90 years age group for females (7.16%). For both sexes significant differences between the three locations were identified. For HBsAg a higher prevalence in Heraklion (3.96%) compared to Chania (2.30%, males: p < 0.0001, females: p < 0.05) and Rethymnon (1.45%, males: p < 0.01, females: p < 0.0001) was detected. For HCV a significantly higher prevalence in Heraklion (6.54%) compared to Chania (2.39%, males: p < 0.001, females: p < 0.001) but not in Rethymnon (5.15%, NS). A lower prevalence rate of HBcAb in Heraklion compared to Chania (20.07% versus 23.05%, males: p < 0.001, females: p < 0.001) was found. CONCLUSIONS: These results were possibly overestimated, but nevertheless reflect the situation of the general population within the island as shown by our previous publications in other study groups. Moreover they contribute to the mapping of viral hepatitis prevalence in a geographical area of Southern Europe and may be helpful in planning public health interventional strategies

A lightweight framework for secure life-logging in smart environments

As the world becomes an interconnected network where objects and humans interact with each other, new challenges and threats appear in the ecosystem. In this interconnected world, smart objects have an important role in giving users the chance for life-logging in smart environments. However, smart devices have several limitations with regards to memory, resources and computation power, hindering the opportunity to apply well-established security algorithms and techniques for secure life-logging on the Internet of Things (IoT) domain. The need for secure and trustworthy life-logging in smart environments is vital, thus, a lightweight approach has to be considered to overcome the constraints of smart objects. The purpose of this paper is to present in details the current topics of life-logging in smart environments, while describing interconnection issues, security threats and suggesting a lightweight framework for ensuring security, privacy and trustworthy life-logging. In order to investigate the efficiency of the lightweight framework and the impact of the security attacks on energy consumption, an experimental test-bed was developed including two interconnected users and one smart attacker, who attempts to intercept transmitted messages or interfere with the communication link. Several mitigation factors, such as power control, channel assignment and AES-128 encryption were pplied for secure life-logging. Finally, research into the degradation of the consumed energy regarding the described intrusions is presented

NextGEM: Next-Generation Integrated Sensing and Analytical System for Monitoring and Assessing Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure and Health

The evolution of emerging technologies that use Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Field (RF-EMF) has increased the interest of the scientific community and society regarding the possible adverse effects on human health and the environment. This article provides NextGEM’s vision to assure safety for EU citizens when employing existing and future EMF-based telecommunication technologies. This is accomplished by generating relevant knowledge that ascertains appropriate prevention and control/actuation actions regarding RF-EMF exposure in residential, public, and occupational settings. Fulfilling this vision, NextGEM commits to the need for a healthy living and working environment under safe RF-EMF exposure conditions that can be trusted by people and be in line with the regulations and laws developed by public authorities. NextGEM provides a framework for generating health-relevant scientific knowledge and data on new scenarios of exposure to RF-EMF in multiple frequency bands and developing and validating tools for evidence-based risk assessment. Finally, NextGEM’s Innovation and Knowledge Hub (NIKH) will offer a standardized way for European regulatory authorities and the scientific community to store and assess project outcomes and provide access to findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR) data

The Agent Modeling Language (AMOLA)

Abstract. This paper presents the Agent MOdeling LAnguage (AMOLA). This language provides the syntax and semantics for creating models of multi-agent systems covering the analysis and design phases of the software development process. It supports a modular agent design approach and introduces the concepts of intra-and inter-agent control. The first defines the agent’s lifecycle by coordinating the different modules that implement his capabilities, while the latter defines the protocols that govern the coordination of the society of the agents. The modeling of the intra and inter-agent control is based on statecharts. The analysis phase builds on the concepts of capability and functionality. AMOLA deals with both the individual and societal aspect of the agents. However, in this paper we focus in presenting only the individual agent development process. AMOLA is used by ASEME, a general agent systems development methodology. Keywords: Multi-agent systems, Tools and methodologies for multi-agent software systems

Modular JADE Agents Design and Implementation using ASEME

ASEME is an emerging Agent Oriented Software Engineering (AOSE) methodology. The Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) paradigm encourages software modelers to automate the transition of one type of software model to another and eventually the code generation process. This paper builds on previous work that describes the model-driven development of agent systems using ASEME and creating a Platform Independent Model (PIM) that adheres to the language of statecharts, the Intra-Agent Control Model. In this contribution we use the generated statecharts and show how to automatically transform them to Java programs using the Java Agent Development Framework (JADE). All agent and behaviour classes are automatically generated including the agent interaction protocols. 1