Articles tagged with Security Policy
A recent study by McLean Hospital researchers highlights the need for better security and privacy measures in health apps designed for dementia patients. The paper found that many apps collect user-generated content without adequate protection, posing a risk to patients' sensitive information. Clinicians are urged to educate themselves...
A recent paper analyzes security issues in smart electrical grids, highlighting potential consequences of cyber attacks on advanced metering infrastructures. The report provides crucial keys to ensuring the security of our power supply.
A new USC study found that most US air travelers (60-80%) are unwilling to trade off convenience and wait longer for equal treatment in aviation security screenings. Only about half of respondents would be willing to pay up to $15 or tolerate more contraband on flights.
A new password meter developed by Carnegie Mellon University researchers provides real-time feedback and advice to users, helping them create more secure passwords. The meter uses an artificial neural network to analyze patterns in existing passwords and offers personalized suggestions for improvement.
The US needs a new approach to defeat the Islamic State by addressing root causes of conflicts, reconciling disenfranchised populations with governments. This requires long-term commitment to establish legitimate governance in Iraq and Syria.
The US military could bolster its energy independence by deploying solar-powered microgrids, reducing reliance on vulnerable backup systems and enhancing grid resiliency. The proposed systems would provide localized energy security, decreasing the chance of cascading failures.
A RAND report identifies conditions that would help North Korean elites accept unification, including individual safety, wealth, and meaningful contributions. The report recommends actions by the ROK to address these concerns and prepare for potential unification.
A study by Adriana Zuniga-Teran found that traditional neighborhoods encourage more walking, while suburban developments with green spaces contribute to improved mental well-being. Cluster housing communities also foster social interaction among residents. In contrast, enclosed gated communities do not improve feelings of safety.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a new form of ransomware that can take over control of simulated water treatment plants, highlighting vulnerabilities in industrial control systems. The attack demonstrates the potential for attackers to compromise programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and hold critical systems hostage.
Researchers now have unprecedented access to space-weather data from 23 GPS satellites, measuring charged particles and their impact on satellite operation. This data helps answer key questions about space weather events, enabling improved forecasting models.
A new study reveals that most IT security managers prefer employees not to bring their own devices to work due to security concerns. The study highlights the risks of BYOD, including viruses, phishing, hacking attacks, identity theft, and corporate espionage.
The UK's civil plutonium stockpile is expected to exceed 140 tonnes by 2020, raising security concerns. A re-examination of the UK's plutonium policy is needed to allow for swift immobilisation and maximize safety, security, and affordability for taxpayers.
Researchers found that voters perceive enhanced security measures as more secure than systems with fake security elements. Participants also reported increased confidence in the voting system when it included robust security features.
A recent study found that people can only correctly identify half of phishing emails, despite being cautious. Participants were more likely to be overconfident and fall for attacks if they perceived negative consequences.
A new RAND Corporation report highlights the need for clearer US rules on targeted killing using drones. The study proposes a framework that balances protection of civilians and human rights with flexibility in the fight against terrorism. By adopting such an approach, the US can build public support at home and abroad.
Studies have found that people struggle to match unfamiliar faces with and without glasses, but the effect is more pronounced when only one face wears glasses. This research aims to inform future policies on photo identification for security purposes.
Researchers found that the September 11 attacks merged immigration and terrorism issues, heightening surveillance and racializing Latino immigrants as a threat. This merger fueled Islamophobia and led to increased deportations, with an average of 334,000 people deported per year since 2003.
A new RAND Corporation study reveals that opponents of ISIS outnumber supporters 6 to 1 on Twitter. Despite this, ISIS supporters are more active online, producing 50% more tweets than opponents on a typical day. The study suggests that U.S. officials should support opponents of ISIS on Twitter with social media trainings and engagements.
Mobile health technology has the potential to improve healthcare quality and expand access to services, but researchers warn that current measures may not be enough to safeguard patient data. The authors propose several research challenges to address issues like data sharing, authentication, and anonymity.
Global health advocates call for aligning medical intelligence, national security, and global health priorities to prevent blurring of boundaries. A pathway for cooperation, highlighting health threats with national security implications before policy action, is proposed to mitigate adverse consequences.
Researchers have developed a new risk assessment tool to aid in strategic planning for security, focusing on natural disasters, terrorist events, and major accidents. The Deliberative Method for Ranking Risk has been tested on 26 individuals and found that pandemic influenza, hurricanes, and earthquakes prompt the highest concerns.
Professor Susan Landau argues the FBI's approach is outdated and needs investment in '21st century investigative savvy' to secure smartphones. The agency must invest in building up its technical understanding to conduct modern cyber investigations.
The FBI must develop 21st-century investigative skills to access encrypted data without compromising security. The organization should invest in a technical investigation center with agents familiar with modern telecommunications and computer science.
The American Psychological Association's special issue explores the importance of psychology in promoting healthy aging, preventing dementia, and ensuring retirement security. Researchers examine the impact of ageism, financial exploitation, and family dynamics on older adults' well-being.
A mobile-phone-based system is demonstrating huge potential for improving public health service delivery in resource-poor settings. The system has facilitated ongoing data collection, greatly improving data quality, timeliness, and cost-effectiveness.
A new RAND Corporation report calls for trimming the US national security decision-making system to improve effectiveness and efficiency. The study recommends downsizing the National Security Council staff, improving intelligence integration, and assigning senior officials across agencies to ensure coherence in decision-making.
The world water cycle is becoming increasingly unstable, posing significant risks to political stability and economic growth. Long-term water cycle stability will not return in the lifetime of anyone alive today, warns UN water expert Robert Sandford.
A study found that only a small percentage of e-cigarette searches are related to quitting smoking, while most pertain to shopping or vaping health. The research used Google search trends from 2009 to 2014 and revealed a significant jump in popularity of 'vape' and 'vaping' terms.
Economic conditions have caused significant increases in financial inequality among older Americans over the past three decades. Inequality is higher after age 64, especially after 74, compared to traditional working years. Middle-aged and older individuals face a difficult future due to the disappearance of well-paying jobs and pensions.
Stefan Savage's work has made significant contributions to network security, including combating spam and vulnerabilities in automotive systems. His research has also influenced international standards and cybersecurity initiatives.
Michigan State University has been awarded $4.4 million from the US Agency for International Development to strengthen its efforts in food security policy and research in Mali. The grant will support policy initiatives aimed at improving agricultural productivity, nutrition, and livelihood resilience.
A new study reveals rapid melting of ancient ice wedges across the Arctic, affecting runoff and amplifying permafrost thawing. The research indicates widespread ice wedge degradation with major implications for global warming and thermokarst formation.
A novel approach, called machine unlearning, enables the removal of data without retraining a computer learning system from scratch. This method is crucial for increasing security and protecting user privacy, especially in the face of cyber-attacks and data breaches.
Men with low-grade prostate cancer are increasingly opting for active surveillance, a management strategy that monitors the cancer's progression without immediate treatment. The study found that about 59% of patients managed by active surveillance remained on this approach after five years.
A new study published in the International Journal of Critical Infrastructure Protection found no evidence that the WikiLeaks list was a target list for terrorists. The study analyzed over 40,000 terrorism incidents and compared them with the facilities listed on the WikiLeaks memo.
Researchers have developed a method to securely share password frequency statistics, allowing organizations to assess the impact of security breaches and inform password defenses. This approach provides precise guarantees about privacy, enabling further research on password policies and potential applications in social networks.
Jean Maria Arrigo received the AAAS Scientific Freedom and Responsibility Award for her tireless efforts to expose the American Psychological Association's (APA) complicity in torture and abuse. She stood against the APA's Task Force on Psychological Ethics and National Security, which justified coercive interrogations, and instead adv...
The US military health care environment should adopt and implement the Defense Health Board's recommendations to prioritize patient ethics. The board's review highlighted dual loyalty conflicts between professional obligations and organizational requirements.
The National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center has tapped Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to support its program. PNNL will contribute advanced computer modeling and simulation capabilities to analyze vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure sectors such as dams, water, transportation, energy, and information...
QUT researchers warn that smart cars are vulnerable to cyber attacks without proper safeguards. The university's experts highlight the need for a secure system to protect connected vehicles from malicious hacking.
The University of Houston has been named to lead a national Center for Borders, Trade and Immigration Research, receiving a $3.4 million grant from the Department of Homeland Security. The center will focus on technology, policy, and education research to strengthen national security.
A recent study by Dr Shawn McGuire and Dr Louise Sperling found that farmers in developing countries do not scale back on seed production during times of stress. Instead, they adapt and access seed from various channels, including local markets, which supply more than half of all seed used by farmers. This challenges conventional appro...
New research from Binghamton University reveals that federal accounting rules can lock up funds for small banks, particularly hurting their customers. This limits access to lending resources, such as commercial paper and exotics, for small businesses with greater growth potential.
A European Union-funded project estimates that 4.7 million tonnes of discarded electronics were wrongfully mismanaged or illegally traded in Europe, valued at €800-1.7 billion annually. The study calls for better guidelines and harmonized penalties to combat e-waste crime.
The Gerontological Society of America has selected Eric R. Kingson as the recipient of the 2015 Donald P. Kent Award, recognizing his exceptional professional leadership in gerontology through teaching, service, and practice. Kingson is a professor at Syracuse University and has written extensively on politics and economics of aging, r...
A new study reveals that prisoners at Gramercy maximum security prison have turned to entrepreneurialism to meet their basic needs, developing illicit marketing systems for services like haircutting and medical care. The research highlights the need to shift the role of prisons from punishment to reformation.
Experts have proposed new policies to address retirement security, healthy aging, and long-term services. These policies aim to promote healthier aging, improve retirement security, and increase access to long-term services and supports.
A RAND Corporation study finds companies are paying more attention to cybersecurity, with CEOs listening to CISOs and new products improving security. However, CISOs worry about hackers' sophistication and the difficulty in quantifying data losses, making it hard to estimate costs.
Iowa State researchers used EEG to measure brain activity and found people with high self-control took longer to contemplate high-risk situations. The study suggests that organizations should focus on internal security measures to protect sensitive information.
A survey of 10,000 respondents across eight Arctic states reveals major differences on cooperation with Russia and military conflict. Majorities support diplomatic approaches over strengthening military presence in the region.
The Gerontological Society of America has produced a special issue outlining a vision for older adults' economic security, health, and social well-being. The issue explores ways to safeguard the success of programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.
Research by Robin Lumsdaine found that women with new grandchildren are 9% more likely to retire early than those without. This decision can significantly impact income adequacy later in life. Policymakers may need to consider childcare needs and flexible work arrangements to encourage older workers to stay in the workforce.
A report by University of Montreal researcher Yves Carrière finds that delaying retirement eligibility will widen disparities among older adults. This policy change is expected to disproportionately affect those with lower incomes, who will be more reliant on private savings for support.
Active shooter incidents at hospitals have risen, with 14 such incidents reported in the year leading up to a Boston surgeon's murder, resulting in 15 fatalities. Hospitals must take proactive measures to mitigate the threat, including deploying security cameras, limiting entrances and exits, and stationing armed police.
The Journal of Cybersecurity is an open-access title that aims to tackle cybersecurity challenges through interdisciplinary approaches. It will publish high-impact research from various disciplines, including anthropology, computer science, economics, and psychology.
A new study by RAND Corporation found that unauthorized immigrants who previously been removed from the US are 2.5 times more likely to be rearrested after leaving jail. Researchers also found that these individuals were rearrested more frequently and sooner, highlighting the need for targeted immigration enforcement efforts.
A study by CWRU researcher Joseph Galanek found that training correctional officers on mental illness symptoms improves prison safety, security, and humane treatment of inmates. The research showed that trained officers could use their discretion to respond to mentally ill inmates without rigidly enforcing prison rules.
A University of Texas Arlington associate professor has been awarded a National Science Foundation grant to assess insider threats in financial institutions. The research aims to develop effective protection strategies using criminology theories and large-scale field data from two regional institutions.
Researchers tracked Internet usage across the globe, finding daily patterns and correlations between country GDP and Internet availability. This study helps scientists develop better systems to measure and track Internet outages, improving overall reliability.
Researchers conducted life history interviews with 26 health workers who lived through conflict in Northern Uganda, revealing their resilience and coping mechanisms. The study proposes solutions to protect and motivate health workers during and after crises, including community support, formal promotion, and regular pay.