The research highlights the importance of vulnerability assessment in evaluating the effectiveness of security mechanisms in computer and network systems. While vulnerability assessment is commonly practiced by companies and businesses, it is often underlooked in the context of home networks. The misconception that home networks are not lucrative targets for cyber criminals has been shattered with the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic, which forced many individuals to work from home, adding to their normal daily personal home network device interactions, making their home networks more vulnerable to attacks. The situation iseven more challenging in developing countries like Cameroon, where there is a significant IT gap due to limited access to quality IT education and training opportunities. To address these issues, the research employed two main methods. Firstly, the systematic Review of Literature (SRL) method was used to investigate the types of systems used in home networks, common vulnerabilities, and attacks associated with them. Additionally, a step-by-step guide using opensource tools was developed to assist home users in evaluating the security of their networks. The second method utilized was the experimental method, with the use of semi-structured interviews for data collection. This demonstrated how selected tools such as Zenmap and Nessus, along with associated techniques, could be effectively used by home users to assess the security posture of their networks. This practical approach contributed to the development of a targeted vulnerability assessment methodology for home users. Furthermore, recommendations were provided to help home users mitigate identified vulnerabilities in their networks.

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Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited / The purpose of this study was to determine whether Naval Medicine's current Information Assurance Policy and resultant efforts properly address federal requirements or current threats confronting Naval Medicine information technology professionals. The primary research was conducted with a survey instrument detailing thirty questions with various response categories. The findings of the survey questionnaire revealed the existing numbers of previously compromised systems were directly related to the frequency of vulnerability scanning and remediation practices in the current threat environment. This study will provide insight to anyone interested in the future assessment of Naval Medicine's information security posture. These findings have important implications for command personnel charged with the responsibility and accountability of Naval Medicine's networks and data systems, as well as other communities throughout the Navy. / Lieutenant, United States Navy

Turkey is located on a seismically active region. Heavy damage observed in school buildings during recent earthquakes, revealed that seismic performance of school buildings is considerably poor. Therefore, determination of seismic vulnerability of these buildings has gained significant attention. Capacity curves that reflect properties of buildings are used to determine the seismic demand, thus, a decision can be made about the expected performance of the buildings. In addition, seismic vulnerability assessment procedures are also developed to assess the expected performance of buildings. In this study, it was intended to determine capacity related properties of school buildings located in Turkey. Additionally, applicability of some existing seismic vulnerability assessment procedures for school buildings is investigated. The procedures developed by Yakut [3], Hassan &amp / Sozen [8] and Ozcebe et al. [10] were employed. For this purpose, a set of school buildings that are believed to represent typical cases were employed. Nonlinear static analysis was carried out to determine the capacity related properties and approximate seismic demand. All buildings were assessed using the available preliminary seismic assessment procedures and the results were compared with detailed assessment procedures.

Climate change and anticipated impacts of sea level rise such as increased coastal erosion, inundation, flooding due to storm surges and salt water intrusion to freshwater resources will affect all the countries but mostly small island countries of oceans and low-lying lands along coastlines. Turkey having 8333 km of coastline including physically, ecologically and socio-economically important low-lying deltas should also prepare for the impacts of sea level rise as well as other impacts of climate change while participating in adaptation and mitigation efforts. Thus, a coastal vulnerability assessment of Turkey to sea level rise is needed both as a part of coastal zone management policies for sustainable development and as a guideline for resource allocation for preparation of adaptation options for upcoming problems due to sea level rise. In this study, a fuzzy coastal vulnerability assessment model (FCVI) of a region to sea level rise using physical and human activity indicators of impacts of sea level rise which use commonly available data are developed. The results enable decision makers to compare and rank different regions according to their vulnerabilities to sea level rise, to prioritize impacts of sea level rise on the region according to the vulnerability of the region to each impact and to determine the most vulnerable parameters for planning of adaptation measures to sea level rise. The sensitivity and uncertainty analysis performed for the results of the model (FCVI) is the first time application of a fuzzy uncertainty analysis model to coastal vulnerability assessments. These analysis ensure that the decision makers could be able to interpret the results of such vulnerability assessments based primarily on expert perceptions accurately enough. This in turn, would increase the confidence levels of adaptation measures and as well as accelerate implementation of adaptation of coastal areas to climate change. The developed coastal vulnerability assessment model is applied successfully to determine the vulnerability of G&ouml / ksu, G&ouml / cek and Amasra regions of Turkey that have different geological, ecological and socio-economical properties. The results of the site studies show that G&ouml / ksu has high vulnerability, G&ouml / cek has moderate vulnerability and Amasra shows low vulnerability to sea level rise. These results are in accordance with the general literature on impacts of sea level rise at different geomorphological coastal areas thus the applicability of fuzzy vulnerability assessment model (FCVI) to coastal areas is validated.

Disasters (e.g. earthquakes) and emergencies (e.g. fire) threaten the safety of occupants in the buildings and cause injuries and mortalities. These harmful effects are even more dangerous when secondary hazards (e.g. post-earthquake fires) emerge and it is commonly observed that the disasters/emergencies trigger secondary hazards.An effective indoor emergency guidance and navigation approach for occupants and first responders can decrease the number of injuries and mortalities during building emergencies by improving the evacuation process and response operations. For this reason, this research will propose a model-based guidance and vulnerability assessment approach for facilities that are under the threat of multi-hazard emergencies. The approach can be used to guide occupants from the facility affected by disasters/emergencies to safer zones and to direct the first responders by supplying them necessary building related information such as identified vulnerable locations in the indoor environments. An integrated utilization of Building Information Modeling tools, sensors, shortest path algorithms, and vulnerability assessment algorithms is proposed for the system in this research. The research steps of this thesis include (1) determination of requirements of an indoor navigation during emergency response and disaster management,(2) review, comparison, and evaluation of shortest path algorithms from an emergency response and disaster management point of view, (3) proposing a vulnerability assessment approach, and (4) proposing a real-time indoor emergency guidance and navigation system framework for buildings under the threat of multi-hazard emergencies. The findings of the research can be used in future studies on emergency response and disaster management domains.

The IPCC has identified small islands and coastal zones among regions most vulnerable to climate change. The geomorphological characteristics of Prince Edward Island (PEI), such as highly erodible sandstone bedrock and low elevation, contribute to a high degree of physical vulnerability to climate change. The province is highly susceptible to physical impacts of climate change including relative sea-level rise and increased rates of coastline retreat. In order to assess the physical coastal vulnerability of the ParCA study area of the North Shore, PEI, a model employing Geographic Information Systems (GIS), multi-criteria evaluation (MCE), and time step analysis is formulated. The physical vulnerability of the North Shore for the year 2010 was quantified in terms of wind-wave exposure condition, morphological resiliency, and permanent and episodic flood risk. These results are employed as model inputs to predict the shoreline for the subsequent time steps (2050, 2100), which are again analyzed to estimate future physical coastal vulnerability. Such an approach allows for updated predictions in intent to improve accuracy when compared to linear extrapolation. Finally, areas of highest priority for adaptation measures are quantified for each time step. This physical vulnerability analysis together with community-based and socioeconomic coastal vulnerability analyses will portray the comprehensive vulnerability of the North Shore to current and future effects of climate change.

Natural hazards are the reality of today&amp / #8217 / s world, which considerably affect people&amp / #8217 / s living conditions. As they cannot be prevented, the basic precautions should be taken before the occurrence to protect people. At this point, the preparedness for any threat is really important, which does decrease destructive effects of the hazard for communities and shorten recovery interventions. In terms of preparedness, identification of vulnerable people in the community gives an important contribution for better planning in disaster management. In this respect, this thesis aims to develop a methodology in order to define vulnerable groups in terms of their social conditions for any possible hazard, with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology. Moreover, the thesis aims to find out an interrelation between hazards and vulnerability, to build awareness about identification of socially vulnerable groups in the pre- and post-disaster planning. A case study area is selected in earthquake-prone Pendik, Istanbul, in order to find the contribution of the assessment. A study is carried out to describe social vulnerability levels in the study area using GIS. Criterion standardization, weighting and combining are accomplished by multi criteria evaluation methods. These calculations are supported with five explorative spatial data analyses to understand global trends and spatial interactions of the study data. The objectivity of the assessment and the complicated structure of the study data are also discussed. The main outcomes of the methodology and its applications in the case study area show that, the southeast part of Pendik is socially vulnerable to any possible hazard.

Drinking water is a crucial provision for our survival and well-being. However, it is often taken for granted. The environmental objectives in Sweden appear insufficient to ensure drinking water with good quality, because the objectives lack clear protective descriptions, which allow municipalities to determine how to interpret and ensure drinking water. The purpose of this study is to investigate barriers and opportunities for sustainable management of drinking water sources in a tourist region. In order to fulfil the purpose, the study identifies vulnerabilities in the municipal drinking water system with the help from scenario analysis of climate change and tourism development. The study also presents relevant adaptation solutions. The DPSIR framework was used as a tool to categorize and describe the studied problem and was based on a literature study and a mapping of the study area. Åre ski resort was used as a case, and it is supplied with drinking water from two groundwater beds infiltrated by Åresjön (a lake, part of a river). Åresjön is included in an objective to keep drinking water quality standards.     The results show that climate change and tourism development reduces surface and groundwater quality, primarily by increasing microbiological particles. Increases in the number of tourists combined with insufficient monitoring of groundwater levels and infiltration capacity knowledge are unsustainable and are expected to reduce the amount of water in the large groundwater beds. The identified most vulnerable parts of the drinking water system are within the municipal planning process, water production and wastewater treatment. Therefore, the various adaptation solutions address these issues. Direct and indirect adaptations are necessary to ensure sufficient drinking water of good quality until 2100. Tourism development is the main driver for affecting drinking water (if no adaptation measures are implemented). / <p>20180623</p>