Context Of Security Research Articles

The EU Changing Policies towards Israeli- Palestine Conflict: The Interplay of Regional and International Parameters

The EU adopted “balanced” position towards Arab-Israeli conflict since 1980s. However, starting from the 2000s, the EU left its neutral position and addressed Palestinian conflict within the context of security. This paper aims to explore the reasons behind changing policies of the European Union towards Israeli-Palestinian dispute since 2000s by making reference to the shifts in international and regional settings, particularly after Arab uprising and Russia-Ukraine war. Firstly, the EU/EC's approach to Palestine-Israeli conflict over time is explored. Secondly, how the regional and international setting, which is based on multi-polarity and regional conflicts, altered the EU’s policies will be discussed at theoretical level. Lastly, institutional constraints that prevent the EU to carry out normative policy will be explored.

Train one and get a crew: a multilevel evaluation of team-centric leadership training for airport security screening crew leaders

PurposeThis study aims to introduce a team-centric leadership training program tailored for leaders of critical action teams. It emphasizes the critical role of effective teamwork in high-stakes environments.Design/methodology/approachThe authors developed a team-centric leadership training program for crew leaders of airport security teams. The training program comprised in-class teaching on the psychological foundations of teamwork and practical simulations. The training program’s effectiveness was assessed at the individual and team levels using Kirkpatrick’s evaluation model to obtain a complete evaluation of its effectiveness. First, a pre- and posttraining questionnaire recorded changes in self-efficacy, knowledge and skills about teamwork at the individual level from 62 leaders. Second, the authors assessed the transfer effects of the team-centric leadership training on self-reported team processes and team performance during a work shift of 37 crews.FindingsResults indicate an improvement in the application of teamwork skills but not in self-efficacy or knowledge among crew leaders who underwent the training. Additional analysis revealed that leaders with initially high self-efficacy in teamwork experienced a reduction posttraining, whereas those with initially low levels reported an increase. Teams led by trained leaders demonstrated a higher engagement in key team processes than those led by untrained leaders. No effect has been found on team performance.Originality/valueThis study offers a cost-effective alternative to conventional teamwork training methods, specifically designed for high-pressure security contexts. The authors advocate for the adoption of this training model by security professionals, aiming to elevate team processes and operational efficacy in critical action teams.

Multimodal meaning making in news communication about immigration: using the NewsScape corpus to explore co-verbal images in TV news

The communication of news relies on semiotic resources besides language, including various audiovisual modes of representation. Owing to the difficulties associated with obtaining televisual data, the vast majority of research addressing multimodality in the news has been targeted at print news media, where various strategies in visual representation and patterns of interaction between verbal and visual modes have been discerned. Where televisual data has been interrogated, this has been based on a very limited number of data points. In this study, I exploit the NewsScape library – a massive multimodal corpus of news communication – to investigate multimodal representations of immigration in television news. Accessible via CQPWeb, the corpus is searched for target utterances refugees/(im)migrants have VERBed and refugees/(im)migrants are VERBing. The co-verbal images accompanying 474 utterances describing motion events are analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Among the results discussed are that refugees/migrants are depicted in large rather than small groups, that they are depicted in transit somewhere along the migratory journey rather than in countries of origin or destination countries, that they are depicted on land more than at sea, that they are depicted in security contexts, and that they are erased represented instead through abstract forms such as maps. Differences in the visual representation of people designated as ‘refugee’ versus ‘migrant’ are also observed and discussed.

Transforming Agricultural Productivity with AI-Driven Forecasting: Innovations in Food Security and Supply Chain Optimization

Global food security is under significant threat from climate change, population growth, and resource scarcity. This review examines how advanced AI-driven forecasting models, including machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), and time-series forecasting models like SARIMA/ARIMA, are transforming regional agricultural practices and food supply chains. Through the integration of Internet of Things (IoT), remote sensing, and blockchain technologies, these models facilitate the real-time monitoring of crop growth, resource allocation, and market dynamics, enhancing decision making and sustainability. The study adopts a mixed-methods approach, including systematic literature analysis and regional case studies. Highlights include AI-driven yield forecasting in European hydroponic systems and resource optimization in southeast Asian aquaponics, showcasing localized efficiency gains. Furthermore, AI applications in food processing, such as plasma, ozone and Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) treatments, are shown to improve food preservation and reduce spoilage. Key challenges—such as data quality, model scalability, and prediction accuracy—are discussed, particularly in the context of data-poor environments, limiting broader model applicability. The paper concludes by outlining future directions, emphasizing context-specific AI implementations, the need for public–private collaboration, and policy interventions to enhance scalability and adoption in food security contexts.

Organizational Influence on Security Development in Open-Source Software Projects

Increasing technological complexity, intensified competition, and security requirements have driven open-source software (OSS) projects to become a crucial part of organizations' software development. This study focuses on the OSS project TensorFlow (TF) and uses a case study to examine how organizations and their associated developers collaborate to identify, fix and prevent security vulnerabilities. Social Network Analysis (SNA) of archived security data from software repositories is used to gain insight into security activities. The study examines the internal structure and evolution of security code collaboration, organizational networks, and top organizational contributors to TF. It also examines productivity, homophily, development diversity, and turnover rates among developers across various software releases. The in-depth insights from this research enhance our understanding of collaborative patterns in OSS communities within open software ecosystems, particularly in the security context.

STRATEGIC MARKERS OF INVESTMENT IN CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE OBJECTS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE ECONOMIC SECURITY OF UKRAINE

The paper examines the strategic aspects of investing in Ukraine's critical infrastructure in the state's economic security context. The importance of critical infrastructure for the stable functioning of the economy in the face of modern challenges, including military threats, cyber-attacks and natural disasters, is analyzed. The issue of financial instability, which requires the involvement of private investors and international partners to restore and modernize infrastructure, is also considered separately. The study examines the role of public-private partnership and international cooperation as the introduction of innovative technologies, such as artificial intelligence and IoT, to increase the efficiency and sustainability of infrastructure facilities. Critical strategies for effective risk management and attracting investments to restore energy, transport and communications have been identified. Recommendations are offered for assessing investments' economic and social efficiency, considering the payback and impact on the population's well-being. The paper also outlines the prospects for long-term economic growth through investment in critical infrastructure, an essential element of the country's post-crisis recovery. This study delves into the strategic dimensions of investing in Ukraine's critical infrastructure, emphasizing its significance for economic security. The paper thoroughly examines Ukraine's financial constraints due to the ongoing war and economic instability. It underscores the necessity of engaging private investors and fostering international collaboration. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) and international financial institutions are identified as crucial players in providing the necessary funding and expertise for the recovery and modernization of infrastructure. The article also explores how integrating innovative technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), can significantly enhance the resilience and efficiency of infrastructure systems. In conclusion, the article offers strategic recommendations for investing in Ukraine's critical infrastructure. The purpose of the study is to identify strategic priorities for the allocation of investment resources for the reconstruction of critical infrastructure, considering the aspects of economic security.

Gamification as a tool to identify and address ongoing challenges in space activities: the case of space debris mitigation

This article outlines a project aimed at developing a serious game to address the challenge of space debris mitigation within the broader context of space security. The first section examines the current state of space activity issues and their gamification. The second section introduces the concept of the game utilizing the ARDI model, emphasizing the significance of each element in addressing these challenges. The third section focuses on the practical refinement of the proposed game concept. The article suggests that the game could serve as a tool for identifying and resolving ongoing challenges in space activity.

Reimagining counter-piracy efforts in the Gulf of Guinea: Lessons from the theory of infrastructure for coordination and information sharing

ABSTRACT Piracy has been a longstanding focal point of Africa's maritime security discourse, initially spotlighting the Gulf of Aden and later pivoting to the Gulf of Guinea. Amid unique regional challenges, including fragmented governance and thinly stretched maritime capabilities, several supra-regional interventions have emerged, aiming to curb piracy. Notwithstanding a significant dip in piracy incidents from 2020 to 2022, the quest for enduring stability in the region remains. This paper leverages the theory of infrastructure to examine information-sharing and coordination within the Gulf of Guinea's counter-piracy landscape, with a focus on the Yaoundé Architecture. Methodologically, the article proffers a novel lens for understanding the region’s complex counter-piracy arena – one that could apply to other security contexts. Theoretically, it enriches scholarly counter-piracy debate by introducing the notion of counter-piracy infrastructures. Amongst other things, the paper posits that as part of a complex infrastructure, counter-piracy actors in the region have unique opportunities to grow as collective interlocutors, paving the way for fortified relationships that can strengthen counter-piracy efforts.

The security and military context of the Russia–Ukraine war

AbstractOne year of full-fledged conventional war fought on the European continent between two large countries, including a nuclear power, is obviously a historical watershed for NATO and the whole Euro-Atlantic area. The conflict has already caused many casualties, destroyed infrastructure and degraded the relationship between the West and Russia. The lecture summarizes the most important elements of the crisis from security and military perspectives.

The religious dimension of Russia's war against Ukraine: the context of national security

The author highlights the current problems of the Ukrainian state in the context of Russia's large-scale war against Ukraine. The importance of studying the religious factor and its impact on Ukraine's national security is substantiated. It is shown how, with the “spiritual” support of its original assistant, the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine in the guise of the so-called Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC-MP) has been actively proclaiming the “gathering of Russian lands” for decades. This “hostile tandem” has been building a “Russian world” on Ukrainian territory with intolerance to everything Ukrainian, pursuing a collaborationist policy in Ukraine, lobbying for Russia's interests, and becoming an important tool for influencing the minds of a large number of people. With the restoration of the independence of the Ukrainian state, Orthodoxy was supposed to become a consolidating factor in the creation of the Ukrainian nation. Instead, for decades, the UOC-MP has been constantly deconsolidating Ukrainian society, sowing church discord, and discrediting Ukraine's political and spiritual leadership in the international arena. Such activities have resulted in not only the territorial but also the spiritual occupation of our country. It is concluded that the concept of the “Russian world”, cultivated for years in Ukraine by the Kremlin through its “Orthodox” structures of the Russian Orthodox Church and the UOC-MP, was mainly the basis for the invasion of Ukrainian territories by the occupiers, which later escalated into a large-scale national liberation war in 2022. The study used data from sociological services, official documents of church institutions, and analyzed Ukrainian legislation on related issues. Certain provisions of the study can be used to further analyze the activities and spheres of influence of the Moscow Patriarchate in order to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The development of strategic industrial sectors of Ukraine in the context of national economic security: theoretical foundations

The article demonstrates the need to identify strategic sectors of industry for the social and economic development of the state, which allows focusing the attention and limited resources of the state on supporting the development of those sectors that ensure national economic security. Within the epistemological contextualism, the concept of "strategic sector" is defined. To classify an industry sector as strategic, proposed criteria are outlined based on objective, sustainable circumstances in the country's economy, and within the context of national economic security. The definition of "national economic security" is provided. The criteria for recognizing the strategic nature of an industrial sector within the context of national economic security are determined by operationalizing constructs derived from the proposed definition of a "strategic industrial sector". Quantitative indicators are proposed to quantitatively describe the degree (intensity) of the criterion for recognizing the strategic nature of an industrial sector within the context of national economic security. The development of the strategic sector of the industry in the context of national economic security is ensured by critical enterprises in the industry. To recognize enterprises in strategic industrial sectors as critical for the industry's development in the context of national economic security, a number of criteria have been proposed. The development of critical enterprises in the industry should be security-oriented in nature. Support and regulation of security-oriented development of enterprises in the strategic industrial complex of Ukraine, which are to include recognized strategically important industries based on proposed criteria for national economic security, should be carried out using a comprehensive mechanism of state regulation of the country's strategic industrial complex. An important element of the comprehensive mechanism of state regulation of the country's strategic industrial complex is the mechanism of state support, which is implemented through various tools distributed among the components of the mechanism.

Journalists at the Frontline: Recognising and Managing Emotions in the Face of Conflict and Terrorism in Burkina Faso

ABSTRACT This article examines the impact of emotions on the professional realities and practices of Burkinabè reporters working in conflict-ridden regions of Burkina Faso. To achieve this, it adopts an innovative theoretical perspective that links the emotional turn in journalism to the sociology of risk. Using an original “fieldwork in delegation” methodology involving three focus groups and 37 interviews with Burkinabè journalists, the study closely investigates the specific realities of these volatile areas. The results highlight four main forms of professional adjustment that are emerging in the current context of crisis: (1) individual adjustments - to secure both physical and mental security, (2) professional adjustments - to secure working and employment conditions, (3) media adjustments - to secure the practical and economic functioning of the media companies; and (4) values adjustments - to reflect the core values underpinning the profession in conflict-situation. The article demonstrates that the Burkinabè journalists’ current attempt to manage risk and emotion is rooted in their traditional role, but also in the new responsibilities they wish to assume in the current security context. This innovative and significant research provides a useful foundation for reflection for those interested in the experiences of local journalists operating in other global conflict zones.

The Impact of War on the Transformation of the Strategic Paradigm of Organizational Change Management in Conditions of Increased National Security Threats

In times of war or increased national security threats, the traditional paradigms of managing these transitions must adapt to the rapidly changing circumstances. War alters the economic, social, and political environments dramatically, necessitating that organizations quickly adapt to ensure survival and continue operations. This requires a reevaluation of strategic objectives and management practices to align with the broader context of national security. The purpose of the article is to characterize the features of the impact of war on the change of the strategic paradigm of organizational change management in conditions of increased national security threats. The object of the study is the system of organizational change management in conditions of increased national security threats. The methodology of the study involves the use of the IDEF0 method. As a result of the study, a modern IDEF0 model of transformation of the strategic paradigm of organizational change management in conditions of increased national security threats was presented.

Studying the Relationship between Satellite-Derived Evapotranspiration and Crop Yield: A Case Study of the Cauvery River Basin

Satellite-derived evapotranspiration (ETa) products serve global applications, including drought monitoring and food security assessment. This study examines the applicability of ETa data from two distinct sources, aiming to analyze its correlation with crop yield (rice, maize, barley, soybean). Given the critical role of crop yield in economic and food security contexts, monthly and yearly satellite-derived ETa data were assessed for decision-makers, particularly in drought-prone and food-insecure regions. Utilizing QGIS, zonal statistics operations and time series graphs were employed to compare ETa with crop yield and ET anomaly. Data processing involved converting NRSC daily data to monthly and extracting single-pixel ET data using R Studio. Results reveal USGSFEWS as a more reliable ETa source, offering better accuracy and data continuity, especially during monsoon seasons. However, the correlation between crop yield and ETa ranged from 12% to 35%, while with ET anomaly, it ranged from 35% to 55%. Enhanced collection of satellite-based ETa and crop-yield data is imperative for informed decision-making in these regions. Despite limitations, ETa can moderately guide decisions regarding crop-yield management.

Keeping Verticals’ Sovereignty During Application Migration in Continuum

Competing service providers in the cloud environment ensure services are delivered under the promised security requirements. It is crucial for mobile services where user’s movement results in the service’s migration between edge servers or clouds in the Continuum. Maintaining service sovereignty before, during, and after the migration is a real challenge, especially when the service provider has committed to ensuring its quality following the Service Level Agreement. In this paper, we present the main challenges mobile service providers face in a cloud environment to guarantee the required level of security and digital sovereignty as described in the Security Service Level Agreement, with emphasis on challenges resulting from the service migration between the old and new locations. We present the security and sovereignty context intended for migration and the steps of the migration algorithm. We also analyze three specific service migration cases for three vertical industries with different service quality requirements.

A novel integrated quantum-resistant cryptography for secure scientific data exchange in ad hoc networks

The fast advancement of quantum computing poses a substantial challenge to the privacy and security of critical scientific research data. This is because the standard cryptography methods, which have been proven effective in classical computers, are rendered less secure in the face of quantum computing approaches. Previously, numerous endeavors have been made to safeguard confidential information through the utilization of different standards and quantum cryptographic methods. However, there remains a research void with several challenges and limitations, including excessive computational burden, vulnerability to various attacks, and limited hardware compatibility for implementation. We propose a modern hybrid cryptographical approach to secure sensitive data from various attacks and vulnerabilities to address the existing limitations. The suggested standard integrates traditional cryptographic standards with quantum-resistant standards to boost sensitive scientific data privacy and security and address various classical cyber-attacks and critical quantum attacks. For the context of scientific data privacy and security, our work depicts a hybrid standard structure by performing a systematic exploration of current encipherment model challenges and issues such as the investigation of various susceptibilities of mathematical cryptographic models. In this work, we apply lattice-based coding as the outer layer and Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) as the inner layer to improve security and efficacy. The proposed security theorem launches the operational veracity of lattice-based coding in the face of quantum attacks, while a complete investigation of the proposed algorithm efficacy vitrines the enhanced security and scalability of the anticipated hybrid standard transversely diverse input sensitive data volumes. Furthermore, this proposed work offers the security confidence score of the hybrid model by the amalgamation of AES and lattice-based cryptography (LBC), hence guaranteeing strength next to both quantum and traditional computing weaknesses. The investigational results prove the improved efficiency of the proposed hybrid model in contrast to traditional and past quantum-resistant models.

Prehistoric Human Occupation in The Central Part of Burkina Faso

From the outset, prehistoric research in Burkina Faso focused on the northern, eastern and western parts of the country. The central part that interests us in the present study was considered to be exclusively dominated by material traces from the Iron Age. This central part, located around the capital Ouagadougou, is characterized geophysically by its flat relief and is drained by the Massili, the main tributary of the Nakambé. The country’s security context, marked by terrorism, has made it one of the safest areas for the practice of field archaeology. As part of our resilience-based archaeology, we have uncovered hundreds of Iron Age and prehistoric sites on granitic outcrops. All the sites identified face a variety of problems, mainly linked to the consequences of uncontrolled urbanization and land development, which have transformed prehistoric sites, particularly into quarries. The urgency of the situation led us to carry out a rescue archaeology surface collection at three of the sites. Techno-morphological analysis of the hundred or so artefacts collected indicates the characteristics of three material cultures: Acheulean, Mousterian and Laminar. In a general context where prehistoric research is in its infancy, these new data redefine our understanding of the country’s prehistory and lay the foundations for understanding human dynamics throughout the Nakambé watershed.

STRENGTHENING COOPERATION FOR CUSTOMS RISKS MANAGEMENT AT EUROPEAN BORDERS IN THE NEW REGIONAL SECURITY CONTEXT

In the current security context of the Black Sea region, trade relations are affected by the imperative of international sanctions, which have imposed a series of restrictions that make it difficult for professionals to carry out commercial contracts. Through the 12 packages of restrictions established by the EU, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the supply of raw materials from the East and exports to these destinations are largely blocked. The risk of fraud is evident as long as production facilities are designed for the use of certain categories of goods in the supply chain, which are currently under economic embargo or directed toward specific markets. Integrated border management is a priority for authorities, and consolidating cooperation for customs risk management involves adopting exceptional measures. This study aims to identify the gaps in the Union's regulatory framework regarding risks and the critical knowledge of control authorities regarding the processes defined for processing customs and commercial documents within import-export operations at the Union's external eastern border. The scope, interpretation, and effects of European and international legal provisions constitute a separate analysis of the exceptional nature of international sanctions.

YOLO Models for Security and Surveillance Applications

Abstract: Since 2015, the YOLO (You Only Look Once) series has evolved to YOLO-v8, prioritizing real-time processing and high accuracy for security and surveillance applications. Architectural enhancements in each iteration, culminating in YOLOv9, cater to rapid detection, precision, and adaptability to resource-constrained edge devices. This study examines YOLO’s evolution, emphasizing its relevance to security and surveillance contexts. Notable improvements in architecture, coupled with practical deployments for defect detection, underscore YOLO’s alignment with stringent security and surveillance requirements.

An ‘interface first’ bureaucracy: Interface design, universal credit and the digital welfare state

AbstractThe front‐line of the welfare state is increasingly not a letter, phone call or face‐to‐face visit, but an online user‐interface. This ‘interface first’ bureaucracy is a fundamental reshaping of social security administration, but the design and operation of these interfaces is poorly understood. Drawing on interview data from senior civil servants, welfare benefits advisors and claimants on the UK's flagship Universal Credit working‐age benefit, this paper is a detailed analysis of the role played by interfaces in the modern welfare state. Providing examples from across the Universal Credit system, it sets out a five‐fold typology of user‐interface design elements in the social security context: (i) structuring data input, (ii) interaction architecture, (iii) operative controls, (iv) prompting and priming, and (v) integrations. The paper concludes by considering the implications of an ‘interface first’ welfare bureaucracy for future research.