One way to build large-scale autonomous systems is to develop an open multi-agent system using peer-to-peer architectures in which agents are not pre-engineered to work together and in which agents themselves determine the social norms that govern collective behaviour. The social norms and the agent interaction models can be described by Electronic Institutions such as those expressed in the Lightweight Coordination Calculus (LCC), a compact executable specification language based on logic programming and pi-calculus. Open multi-agent systems have experienced growing popularity in the multi-agent community and are expected to have many applications in the near future as large scale distributed systems become more widespread, e.g. in emergency response, electronic commerce and cloud computing. A major practical limitation to such systems is security, because the very openness of such systems opens the doors to adversaries for exploit existing vulnerabilities. This thesis addresses the security of open multi-agent systems governed by electronic institutions. First, the main forms of attack on open multi-agent systems are introduced and classified in the proposed attack taxonomy. Then, various security techniques from the literature are surveyed and analysed. These techniques are categorised as either prevention or detection approaches. Appropriate countermeasures to each class of attack are also suggested. A fundamental limitation of conventional security mechanisms (e.g. access control and encryption) is the inability to prevent information from being propagated. Focusing on information leakage in choreography systems using LCC, we then suggest two frameworks to detect insecure information flows: conceptual modeling of interaction models and language-based information flow analysis. A novel security-typed LCC language is proposed to address the latter approach. Both static (design-time) and dynamic (run-time) security type checking are employed to guarantee no information leakage can occur in annotated LCC interaction models. The proposed security type system is then formally evaluated by proving its properties. A limitation of both conceptual modeling and language-based frameworks is difficulty of formalising realistic policies using annotations. Finally, the proposed security-typed LCC is applied to a cloud computing configuration case study, in which virtual machine migration is managed. The secrecy of LCC interaction models for virtual machine management is analysed and information leaks are discussed.

This thesis focuses on automation of processes of Information Security Management System. In accordance with two International Standards, ISO/IEC 27001:2005 and ISO/IEC 17799:2005, to automate the activities required for a documented ISMS as much as possible helps organizations. Some of the well known tools in this scope are analyzed and a comparative study on them including &ldquo / InfoSec Toolkit&rdquo / , which is developed for this purpose in the thesis scope, is given. &ldquo / InfoSec Toolkit&rdquo / is based on ISO/IEC 27001:2005 and ISO 17799:2005. Five basic integrated modules constituting the &ldquo / InfoSec Toolkit&rdquo / are &ldquo / Gap Analysis Module&rdquo / , &ldquo / Risk Module&rdquo / , &ldquo / Policy Management Module&rdquo / , &ldquo / Monitoring Module&rdquo / and &ldquo / Query and Reporting Module&rdquo / . In addition a research framework is proposed in order to assess the public and private organizations&rsquo / information security situation in Turkey.

Thesis (M.S.)--Naval Postgraduate School, 2002. / Title from title screen (viewed June 18, 2003). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S. in Computer Science)--Naval Postgraduate School, March 2006. / Thesis Advisor(s): Cynthia E. Irvine, Timothy E. Levin. "March 2006." Includes bibliographical references (p. 43-45). Also available online.

Thesis (M.S.)--Rochester Institute of Technology, 2006. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (p. 171-175).

No description available.

Abstract By applying principles of conducting design science research, we have developed eight guide-lines for log management. By comparing with the literature on log management, we haveinvestigated the quality and relevance of the guidelines. We also investigated whether six of theeight guidelines are relevant in the sense that they can be supported by software. / Sammanfattning Genom att tillämpa principer för att bedriva forskning i design science, har vi tagit fram åttariktlinjer för en hantering av loggar. Genom jämförelse med litteratur om logghantering har viundersökt kvalitet och relevans hos riktlinjerna. Vi har även undersökt om sex av de åttariktlinjerna är relevanta i den meningen att mjukvara kan stödja dem.

Due to the universal use of technology and its pervasive connection to the world, organisations have become more exposed to frequent and various threats. Therefore, organisations today are giving more attention to information security as it has become a vital and challenging issue. Many researchers have noted that the significance of information security, particularly information security policies and awareness, is growing due to increasing use of IT and computerization. In the last 15 years, the State of Qatar has witnessed remarkable growth and development of its civilization, having embraced information technology as a base for innovation and success. The country has undergone tremendous improvements in the health care, education and transport sectors. Information technology plays a strategic role in building the country's knowledge-based economy. Due to Qatar s increasing use of the internet and connection to the global environment, it needs to adequately address the global threats arising online. As a result, the scope of this research is to investigate information security in Qatar and in particular the National Information Assurance (NIA) policy. There are many solutions for information security some technical and some non-technical such as policies and making users aware of the dangers. This research focusses on enhancing information security through non-technical solutions. The aim of this research is to improve Qatari organisations information security processes by developing a comprehensive Information Security Management framework that is applicable for implementation of the NIA policy, taking into account Qatar's culture and environment. To achieve the aim of this research, different research methodologies, strategies and data collection methods will be used, such as a literature review, surveys, interviews and case studies. The main findings of this research are that there is insufficient information security awareness in organisations in Qatar and a lack of a security culture, and that the current NIA policy has many barriers that need to be addressed. The barriers include a lack of information security awareness, a lack of dedicated information security staff, and a lack of a security culture. These barriers are addressed by the proposed information security management framework, which is based on four strategic goals: empowering Qataris in the field of information security, enhancing information security awareness and culture, activating the Qatar National Information Assurance policy in real life, and enabling Qatar to become a regional leader in information security. The research also provides an information security awareness programme for employees and university students. At the time of writing this thesis, there are already indications that the research will have a positive impact on information security in Qatar. A significant example is that the information security awareness programme for employees has been approved for implementation at the Ministry of Administrative Development Labour and Social Affairs (ADLSA) in Qatar. In addition, the recommendations proposed have been communicated to the responsible organisations in Qatar, and the author has been informed that each organisation has decided to act upon the recommendations made.

This thesis focuses on the analysis of current information system of the selected points to its possible shortcomings and errors. Information obtained from the analyzes will lead to appropriate solutions to problems. The aim of the current system is customized to meet the needs of its users, so that the information system should be flexible, intuitive and clear

The aim of this dissertation thesis is to develop new methodology of information systems penetration testing based on analysis of current methodologies and the role of penetration tests in context of IS/IT governance. Integral part of this aim is evaluation of the methodology. The first part of the thesis is devoted to the presentation of history and current state of research in selected area, definiton of basic terms and introduction of role of the penetration tests. This part is followed by the review of relevant sources and comparative study of current methodologies with a goal to identify their weaknesses. Results from this study are further used as a basis for new methodology development. Classification of IS penetration tests types and testing scenarios are also included. The second part includes design of new methodology, at first its history, structure and principles are presented, then its framework is decribed in high level of detail. In the third part the reader can find (theoretical and practical) validation. The biggest scientific contribution is the methodology itself focused on managment of penetration tests (which is the area currently not sufficiently descibed). Secondary contribution is the extensive review and the comparative analysis of current methodologies. Contribution to the economic and technical (practical) application we can mainly see in the development of new methodology which enables companies to improve management of penetration tests (especially planning, operational management and implementation of countermeasures).