Keywords: Security, Syntactic distance, Informativeness, Objectivity, Novelty, Redundancy, Trust

Abstract: Digital signatures provide a valuable tool for secure internet trading by ensuring data authenticity and integrity and most importantly by enforcing commitment and non-repudiation for the transacting parties. The action of digitally signing has, however, several intrinsic weaknesses that introduce syntactic and semantic distance between a signer and a relying party. As a result, digitally signed messages cannot be fully trusted and hence nor can they be widely deployed in e-commerce applications. The syntactic robustness of digitally signed documents is evaluated by exploiting one key quantitative measure -structural informativeness- and by comparing several qualitative characteristics of various alternative syntaxes. In this way, one is able to make decisions regarding the reliability of the syntax that will enhance the appropriateness of signed documents in specific internet-based e-commerce applications. At the same time, digitally signed documents must preserve their security characteristics and their formatting and layout capabilities in order to achieve an enhanced level of trust on the semantic part of communication and thus be trusted by e-commerce human users.

Keywords: Security, Distributed knowledge management

Abstract: The systematic and effective management of existing knowledge can significantly assist organizations develop quick mechanisms able to respond to various change-driven demands. Knowledge Management (KM) systems have been effectively deployed for more than two decades, incorporating Information Retrieval techniques as well as tacit knowledge utilization. However, traditional KM systems have limited functionality, mainly because of their adaptation to the single-organizational model. When applied to distributed, intra-organizational coalition framework, consisting of cooperating organizations, they can significantly leverage the overall organization’s performance. In this paper we present the extensions to the existing security models that must be realized prior to the employment of a distributed knowledge-exploiting architecture; moreover, heterogeneity, interoperability and scalability related issues are considered in order to handle the diverse set of platforms found in different Information Systems. We also propose a distributed KM framework for secure interoperation, focusing on the technical challenges and the available solutions.

Keywords: Dynamic sourcing, Electronic payment services, Inter-organizational systems, IT-management, Ourscourcing

Abstract: Developments in information and other communication technologies have led to more insourcing and outsourcing opportunities for organizations. The traditional model of isolated IT outsourcing by a single organization is being eclipsed by a new trend of sourcing through interorganizational networks and IT-based virtual organizations. Dynamic sourcing is becoming a core characteristic of virtual organizations, especially information-intensive industries, in which interdependent organizational units promote specific core competencies and cooperative advantages. Transaction platforms are examples of dynamic, flexible, sourcing-based interorganizational systems that can be used in this process. Since in the management of these organizations one is considered to be capable of systematically influencing the relevant design variables, design theory can be used to affect organizational structures. By doing so, one can aim to improve the functioning of those structures. The design of transaction platforms is important for realizing new interorganizational and even cross-industrial structures. Transaction platforms in mobile commerce have become an example of how interorganizational structures permit different organizations to leverage their core competencies in order to achieve cooperative advantages. In addition, M-commerce transaction platforms are a good area to focus on because of the various ways in which these platforms can be applied, the widespread and easy availability of mobile services, and therefore the potential of M-commerce to become a highly remunerative branche of industry in the future.

Keywords: Electronic voting protocols, Threats, Countermeasures, Comparative evaluation

Abstract: We present a set of requirements for Internet voting protocols. We also present a short overview of the most prominent Internet voting protocols published so far, and we provide a comparative evaluation of those protocols, using the set of requirements we have developed. We proceed with discussing our thoughts regarding possible improvements in e-voting protocols. Internet is an application with a vision to the future. Nevertheless, a lot of work needs to be done before it can be accepted for large-scale elections.

Keywords: NCN (negotiation communication network), Negotiation, Visualization, SNA (Social Network Analysis)

Abstract: SCENS, the Secure Content Exchange Negotiation System, is an ongoing project in the Dartmouth Experimental Visualization Laboratory (DEVLAB) that aims to build a web-based platform for sharing sensitive data among distributed parties. In this paper, we describe the interface for SCENS that facilitates parties to conduct their negotiations through our system. We will also introduce our visualization functionalities to track and analyze Negotiation Communication Network (NCN) between negotiation parties in SCENS. And finally I will demo our visualizations based on sample records of negotiation transactions among students in DEVLAB.