A Modular End-to-End Framework for Secure Firmware Updates on Embedded Systems

Firmware refers to device read-only resident code which includes microcode and macro-instruction-level routines. For Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices without an operating system, firmware includes all the necessary instructions on how such embedded systems operate and communicate. Thus, firmware updates are essential parts of device functionality. They provide the ability to patch vulnerabilities, address operational issues, and improve device reliability and performance during the lifetime of the system. This process, however, is often exploited by attackers in order to inject malicious firmware code into the embedded device. In this article, we present a framework for secure firmware updates on embedded systems. This approach is based on hardware primitives and cryptographic modules, and it can be deployed in environments where communication channels might be insecure. The implementation of the framework is flexible, as it can be adapted in regards to the IoT device’s available hardware resources and constraints. Our security analysis shows that our framework is resilient to a variety of attack vectors. The experimental setup demonstrates the feasibility of the approach. By implementing a variety of test cases on FPGA, we demonstrate the adaptability and performance of the framework. Experiments indicate that the update procedure for a 1183-kB firmware image could be achieved, in a secure manner, under 1.73 seconds.

The response of law enforcement agencies and police officers' experiences under the Covid-19 state of alarm in Catalonia, Spain

PurposeLaw enforcement agencies and police officers' efforts were crucial to oversee the public health measures and legal regulations introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic. The study had two objectives: to examine the strategies implemented by law enforcement agencies in Catalonia (Spain) to monitor the pandemic and to explore the adverse working conditions of police officers and their personal difficulties during the state of alarm.Design/methodology/approachA total of 96 experienced police officers completed a closed-ended, anonymous online survey. In addition, complementary information was collected about the management of law enforcement agencies through open interviews. A descriptive analysis was carried out and the association between variables was explored.FindingsIn general terms, law enforcement agencies managed the uncertainty of the situation, with a focus on official information and communication channels between officers. However, many difficulties were reported by the police officers, such us inconsistency between rules, lack of preventive material or changes in work schedules. Besides, the officers' main concern, beyond the emotional impact suffered during this period, was the possibility of being infected or infecting others.Practical implicationsThe congruence between the job requirements and resources, as well as the increase of communication channels during situations of high risk are important variables to assure good job development and personal satisfaction of police officers.Originality/valueTo the knowledge of the authors, at the time of writing this paper, this is the first study in Spain to explore the management of law enforcement agencies and police officers' personal experiences during the Covid-19.

Social Media's Influence on Destination Image

Social media have become key tools for promoting and spreading the image of a tourist destination. In particular, these communication channels are critical for heritage destinations looking to boost awareness and attract a greater number of visitors. However, the tourism marketing literature has devoted limited attention to how these destinations project their image on social media. In order to cover this gap, this chapter focuses on analyzing the image projected by a specific heritage destination—Cuenca, a World Heritage City—on Facebook and Instagram. To this end, the chapter analyzes the posts, comments, and hashtags that have been published on the different tourism pages about Cuenca. The results of the analysis underscore the growing importance of the image projected by destinations on social networks. That said, there is a need to deepen our knowledge about the communication potential of these channels.

WHY SHOULD LOCAL GOVERNMENTS HAVE A DEVELOPED COMMUNICATION STRATEGY? AN ANALYSIS OF MUNICIPAL COMMUNICATION IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

The creation of a communication strategy is an indicator of the subject's approach to communication with the public. The article, based on a sample of 160 municipalities of the Czech Republic, empirically demonstrates that an elaborated communication strategy enhances the public value of intangible assets particularly in the following areas: various segments of citizens are better targeted through a greater number of frequented communication channels, municipal employees are more frequently trained in communication issues, crisis communication plans are likely to be prepared. On the other hand, we confirmed that all these factors are limited to some extent by the size of the municipality and the financial resources allocated for communication.

PERAN KELOMPOK INFORMASI MASYARAKAT (KIM) DALAM PEMBERDAYAAN POTENSI LOKAL DI KAMPUNG JAMBU DESA KARANGSONO KECAMATAN KANIGORO KABUPATEN BLITAR

This study aims to describe the role of Community Information Groups (KIM) in forming agricultural business networks in order to improve the community's economy through empowering local potentials in Karangsono Village, Kanigoro District, Blitar Regency. The approach used is to use the theory of diffusion of innovation which has 4 elements of the innovation diffusion process, namely innovation, communication channels, time and social system. However, researchers are more focused on the process of diffusion of innovations in forming a network using communication channels. This study will explain the innovations of KIM members which will be disseminated to the public using qualitative descriptive methods. This research data collection through interviews and field observations. The results of this study are the diffusion of innovation in forming business networks through communication channels that have been created by KIM members. So that the innovation process that has been disseminated can be accepted by the community and can change the community to be more prosperous.

A Review on Spam Detection Techniques for IOT Devices

The number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices in smart homes is rapidly increasing, generating massive volumes of data that is mostly transmitted over wireless communication channels. The amount of data released by these gadgets increased as well. Aside from the increasing volume, the IoT gadget generates a significant amount of data. Having varied data quality characterised by its speed in terms of time and position in various different modalities dependence. However, different IoT devices are vulnerable to different dangers, such as cyber-attacks and changing network conditions. Data leakage, connections, and so on. The properties of IoT nodes, on the other hand, make the current solutions obsolete. inadequate to cover the entire security range of IoT networks Machine learning can help in this situation. Algorithms can be useful in detecting irregularities in data, which improves the security of IoT systems. The methods are aimed at the data anomalies that exist in the smart Internet in general.

THE ECOLOGICAL COMPONENT OF POLITICAL COMMUNICATION OF MODERN STUDENTS

The article analyzes the process of formation in the academic environment of a higher educational institution of the desire to expand and diversify communication channels, which is significant from the standpoint of achieving the goals of sustainable development in the field of education. It is shown that one of the most accessible and open communication channels is ecological. This is due to the peculiarities of the very ecological approach to education and upbringing, which contributes to the involvement of students in the protection of nature, as well as the fact that this channel opens up opportunities for transition to other areas, including political communication.