Towards protecting organisations’ data by preventing data theft by malicious insiders

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abir Al-Harrasi ◽  
Abdul Khalique Shaikh ◽  
Ali Al-Badi

Purpose One of the most important Information Security (IS) concerns nowadays is data theft or data leakage. To mitigate this type of risk, organisations use a solid infrastructure and deploy multiple layers of security protection technology and protocols such as firewalls, VPNs and IPsec VPN. However, these technologies do not guarantee data protection, and especially from insiders. Insider threat is a critical risk that can cause harm to the organisation through data theft. The main purpose of this study was to investigate and identify the threats related to data theft caused by insiders in organisations and explore the efforts made by them to control data leakage. Design/methodology/approach The study proposed a conceptual model to protect organisations’ data by preventing data theft by malicious insiders. The researchers conducted a comprehensive literature review to achieve the objectives of this study. The collection of the data for this study is based on earlier studies conducted by several researchers from January 2011 to December 2020. All the selected literature is from journal articles, conference articles and conference proceedings using various databases. Findings The study revealed three main findings: first, the main risks inherent in data theft are financial fraud, intellectual property theft, and sabotage of IT infrastructure. Second, there are still some organisations that are not considering data theft by insiders as being a severe risk that should be well controlled. Lastly, the main factors motivating the insiders to perform data leakage activities are financial gain, lack of fairness and justice in the workplace, the psychology or characteristics of the insiders, new technologies, lack of education and awareness and lack of management tools for understanding insider threats. Originality/value The study provides a holistic view of data theft by insiders, focusing on the problem from an organisational point of view. Organisations can therefore take into consideration our recommendations to reduce the risks of data leakage by their employees.

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 145-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane E. Klobas

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose measures of online open course success for non-commercial institutional providers of massive open online courses (MOOCs) and other scaleable open online courses (SOOCs). Design/methodology/approach – The measures are derived from the characteristics of open online courses, existing knowledge about open online course providers and users and their motivations, and current practice in MOOC evaluation and data analytics. Findings – Current practices for evaluation of open online courses are dominated by MOOC analytics which provide insights into user demographics and behaviour with some implications for evaluation of reach and course design but leaving many unknowns. Measures for evaluation of success at the institutional level can be derived from institutional goals for open online courses. Success from the point of view of teachers and technical teams involved in design, development and delivery of open online courses can be derived from team members’ expectations, resources and satisfaction as well as measures of cost and effort compared to budget and benchmarks. Users are classified as registrants (information seekers, window shoppers, samplers), downloaders and participants (starters, partial participants and full participants who are further divided into auditing, active and certificate takers); different measures are appropriate for each group. Practical implications – Practitioners and researchers must consider a variety of levels and indicators of success to adequately evaluate open online courses. Tables in the text propose measures, methods, timing and roles. Originality/value – This is the first published paper to take a holistic view of open online course evaluation and propose detailed measures.


2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 91-110
Author(s):  
Maja Dorota Wojciechowska

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the main assumptions of the resource-based theory according to which the success of an organization is mainly dependent on the ability of capitalizing its inner capacity. The author draws attention to the measurement of intangible resources of libraries and their evaluation, crucial from the point of view of library effectiveness and the quality of its services. The author also emphasizes the specific character of intangible resources, including lack of their mobility, specialization and difficulty in their replacing, which may result in hindering management processes. Design/methodology/approach – The second part of the paper illustrates the author’s research in the field of intangible resources in Polish libraries, including human resources (knowledge, competencies, employee skills), competencies of library management staff, business strategies, organizational culture, communication skills and relations between employees, the ability to communicate and relations with the library community, in particular with its users, library reputation, brand, library innovativeness and the ability to adapt to changes and expectations of the community, the ability of the library to cooperate with other institutions, including networks and consortia, the ability to use and support new technological solutions, the ability to introduce new technologies in the library, the ability to create and acquire intellectual property (copyright, licensing, trademark protection, etc.). Findings – Research has shown that libraries pay growing attention to the relation with the community. Concentrating on library resources means concentrating on readers and providing services that would satisfy readers. However, it seems that the knowledge of library management in the field of managing of intangible resources is still insufficient. Originality/value – The paper presents the first study of this kind conducted in Poland.


2020 ◽  
Vol 122 (5) ◽  
pp. 1647-1669 ◽  
Author(s):  
Massimo Cane ◽  
Carmen Parra

PurposeThe reduction of food waste is still a pending issue that governments have still not resolved. In response to this problem mobile platforms are emerging that follow food ecology and the responsible consumption of food, and self-management of their access to allow the communication between people and their use of food. In this paper, the authors will analyze the main digital platforms that deal with solving this problem, especially those that fulfill a social commitment through the distribution and reduction of waste.Design/methodology/approachTo provide solutions, the authors will address the importance of new technologies in the fight against waste, using digital platforms to manage food and to eliminate the loss in surplus products. To do this, the authors will first analyze from a theoretical point of view the concepts of “loss”, “waste” and “surplus product”, incorporating data of their impact between Spain and Italy. Next, the authors will analyze the influence of new technologies in the detection and distribution of products destined to become food waste. To carry out this qualitative research, the authors will apply the research strategy of theory building from multiple case studies (particularly 16 different digital platforms against food waste were analyzed), which is a methodological approach that uses cases as the basis to develop theory inductively.FindingsThe authors must make the public aware of the importance of being responsible consumers. To this end, the authors must disclose the problems associated with food waste and surplus product, presenting alternatives and new consumption habits. For this, it is necessary to collaborate and build synergies with organizations of different origins (consumers, producers and activists) involved in sustainable agrifood models. In this sense, digital platforms are essential tools to fight against food waste, preventing certain products from being considered unfit for human consumption. In this study, the authors suggest that, based on the review of the literature and the analysis of apps and blogs, the authors look for solutions to surplus and food waste both from the environment of the entrepreneur and the consumer and all using the new technologies.Research limitations/implicationsThe research has raised different limitations. On the one hand, it is a subject that has not been analyzed from a doctrinal point of view, so it is not easy to find bibliographic references. On the other hand, digital platforms that act on food waste are not cataloged. This has made it difficult to search for elements of analysis to obtain results in the work. Finally, the sample can vary in a short period of time since the digital platforms are in a boom, which means that they constantly change.Practical implicationsThis work allows a theoretical approach to the concepts of “loss”, “wastage” and “surplus product”, incorporating data on its impact in Spain and Italy, comparing it with the rest of Europe while providing figures and data on their impact. On the other hand, it allows us to know how new technologies can help the detection and distribution of products destined to become food waste. Finally, there are examples of platforms that are offering service in different areas, incorporating a novel classification that allows us to know the differences depending on their origin and destination.Originality/valueThe originality of the work can be summarized in the following points: There are no doctrinal works that analyze in a combined way the food waste with the new technologies; The relationship with the 2030 Agenda in which responsible consumption is one of the achievements pursued by the United Nations, and the authors position the study’s research as an evidence of platforms that are currently working in the interest of reducing food waste. Furthermore, the authors provide an early classification of platforms based on their usability and objectives of reducing, reusing and recycling food.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 114-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ignacio Ruiz Guerra ◽  
Valentin Molina ◽  
José Manuel Quesada

PurposeExperimental tourism can be understood as a new trend in tourist demand. Tourists want to experiment with lifestyles in different places. The information society shows how and where the best products are cultivated and is linked to how the quality of life should be. Nowadays, we are intended to know more and better things, both tangible and intangible, and new technologies show them to us immediately. One intends to live these opportunities as soon as they can.Design/methodology/approachFrom the experimental point of view Olive Oil Tourism (Oleotourism) emerges from the olive oil consumer’s interest in learning about the production process, so they can discover a lifestyle associated to this product. This research begins with an exploration of tourists’ motivations. Then, focusing on these consumers, this work has different targets: first, to assess how consumers perceive intangible aspects of olive oil and, second, to forecast the potential demand for oleotourism.FindingsThe development of tourism is the result of tourist entrepreneurs that react to the pre-existing demand/opportunity by identifying it in the tourist market.Research limitations/implicationsThe consumer’s experience is important, but touristic trends are changing. The importance of olive oil may grow in the future because the nutrition benefits are known by all countries. The natural experience around olive oil will drive it to other stakeholders.Practical implicationsIt is very early to recognize if the olive oil tourism industry is economically interesting, and whether innovative offers can be created based in olive oil and the lifestyle in rural areas.Social implicationsThe local development around olive oil tourism could be a potential complement with the principal activities, which are usually agricultural activities, farmer interests and local and historical heritage. This is a means to foresee the plausible impacts of the development of oleotourism on tourist destinations, for which oleotourism might become a competitive advantage based on an agri-food product with many intangible profits: olive oil.Originality/valueThis is the first opportunity to learn about the personal interest of the consumer regarding olive oil. They give us the opportunity to know if the institutional offer about new destinations based on olive oil tourism will have a chance or will it be an economic complement with the principal activities.


2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 377-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Lyz ◽  
Anna Opryshko

Purpose The purpose of the paper is to show the impossibility of teaching an individual to live and realize their potential in a modern dynamic environment by being within an artificial education system and explore the idea of life-creating education. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on the models of future education and community. Education is viewed from the position of a student’s ability to self-realize in the modern world. This paper relies on the analyses of basic characteristics of formal education, the challenges to it from the point of view of contemporaneous society and the main routes to improve education. Findings An artificial education system with its translation of a stable experience model is obsolete. Formal education does not provide an individual with the necessary life experience. Learners’ interest and involvement into cognitive activity; joint creative activity and production of personal knowledge; self-determination; and personal fulfilment are the main features of life-creating education. It involves the whole society into learning, modifies teachers’ functions and requires developing flexible management tools. Originality/value This original work shows basic principles of life-creating education and maps the way forward. The represented results will be useful for developing new models of education improvement.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 633-648
Author(s):  
George Kofi Amoako ◽  
Kwasi Dartey-Baah ◽  
Evans Sokro

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore how lecturers in both public and private universities in Ghana are motivated to take up teaching as a career using Herzberg’s two-factor theory. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, qualitative research design was adopted. Data were collected from 24 lecturers from both public and private universities in Ghana and analysed with NVivo. Findings Results from the analysis indicate that public sector university lecturers are generally better motivated than their counterparts at the private sector. Workload is higher at private universities, affecting research and publications negatively. The study also revealed that there are differences in motivation in relation to the hygiene factors between the public and private university teachers. Research limitations/implications This study has a few limitations that must be considered and could provide guidance for future study; as this study addressed faculty point of view, future study could investigate from manager’s and other stakeholders’ point of view in order to get a holistic view of the issues under investigation. The sample size could be improved and the study could be conducted in other African countries for the purposes of comparison. Practical implications The study shows that many lecturers are not happy in the job for both public and private universities. The findings of the study provide managers in the higher education industry with practical guidelines for strategies to motivate lecturers. Originality/value Despite the rapid growth in the educational industry in Ghana, limited studies have been conducted into how lecturers are motivated to stay in teaching. This makes this research unique in Ghana. This study makes an original contribution by comparing how public sector and private sector university lecturers differ in their motivation to teach at the university using Herzberg’s two-factor theory.


2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 21-22
Author(s):  
Ray Harper

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to summarise a number of presentations at Day 1 of the Internet Librarian International conference, London, UK (16 October 2018). This was the 20th conference in the series, and the three key themes included were the next-gen library and librarian; understanding users, usage and user experience; and inclusion and inspiration: libraries making a difference. Design/methodology/approach This paper reports from the viewpoint of a first-time attendee of the conference. This summarises the main issues raised by each presentation and draws out the key learning points for practical situations. Findings The conference covered a variety of practical ways in which libraries can use technology to support users and make decisions about services. These include developing interactive physical spaces which include augmented reality; introducing “chat-bots” to support users; using new techniques to analyse data; and piloting new ways to engage users (such as coding clubs). A key theme was how we use and harness data in a way that is ethical, effective and relevant to library services. Originality/value This conference focussed on practical examples of how library and information services across sectors and countries are innovating in a period of huge change. The conference gave delegates numerous useful ideas and examples of best practice and demonstrated the strength of the profession in adapting to new technologies and developments.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1270
Author(s):  
Sung Il Kwag ◽  
Uhjin Hur ◽  
Young Dae Ko

Though new technologies have been applied in all industries, electric mobility technology using eco-friendly energy is drawing a great deal of attention. This research focuses on a personal electric mobility system for urban tourism. Some tourism sites such as Gyeongju, Korea, have broad spaces for tourists to walk around, but the public transportation system has been insufficiently developed due to economic reasons. Therefore, personal mobility technology such as electric scooters can be regarded as efficient alternatives. For the operation of electric scooters, a charging infrastructure is necessary. Generally, scooters can be charged via wires, but this research suggests an advanced electric personal mobility system based on wireless electric charging technology that can accommodate user convenience. A mathematical model-based optimization was adopted to derive an efficient design for a wireless charging infrastructure while minimizing total investment costs. By considering the type of tourists and their tour features, optimal locations and lengths of the static and dynamic wireless charging infrastructure are derived. By referring to this research, urban tourism can handle transportation issues from a sustainable point of view. Moreover, urban tourism will have a better chance of attracting tourists by conserving heritage sites and by facilitating outdoor activities with electric personal mobility.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 00124
Author(s):  
Elena P. Polikarpova ◽  
Igor E. Mizikovskiy

Modern science and practice does not have a sufficient set of cost management tools, taking into account the duration of the production cycle, characteristic of agricultural activity. The implementation of a cycle-oriented approach to building a model of production costs was based on studying the existing options for classifying production costs, which were supplemented with features from the perspective of managing long production cycles. As a result of the study, a model of production costs was built from the point of view of a cycle-oriented approach, as well as a model of production costs from the standpoint of features of a long production cycle. The model can serve as the basis for the formation of the information space of cost management, control and cost analysis in the economy of agricultural enterprises.


Author(s):  
Nunzio Angiola ◽  
Piervito Bianchi ◽  
Letizia Damato

Purpose Considering a micro performance perspective, the purpose of this paper is to analyze whether and to what extent the adoption of better performance management systems could improve the performance levels of a public university. Design/methodology/approach With reference to a period of four years (2011-2014), the quality of performance management systems of 29 Italian universities (response rate: 48 percent) was examined and the possible effects on performance levels of these institutions were analyzed by means of statistical methodologies (multiple regression analysis). Outcome indicators were considered. Findings The findings indicate the need to go further “measurement,” and to take care of performance “management,” especially in complex organizations as universities, where academicians identify themselves more with their professions than with the organization and where technicians and administrative employees might look at the performance-based reform with “bureaucratic eyes.” A fruitful cooperation between the professional soul and the bureaucratic one is paramount. Originality/value Studies which analyze organizational factors that could affect the adoption and implementation of performance management systems are rare, and use in prevalence qualitative methods or refer to machine bureaucracies, not many to professional ones as public universities. Moreover, the performance management literature in a public university context deepens the topic of the selection of KPIs and the focus is mainly on macro performance or on management tools for gathering and analyzing performance measures.


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