Senior Security Research Articles

Interview with Nils Melzer

Nils Melzer was appointed as the Director of International Law, Policy and Humanitarian Diplomacy of the International Committee of the Red Cross in 2022. He previously served with the ICRC from 1999 until 2011, both as a delegate in operational contexts and as a Legal Adviser in Geneva. He has also been the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (2016–22), Senior Security Policy Adviser to the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2015–16), and Vice-President of the International Institute of Humanitarian Law in Sanremo (2019–22). An affiliate Professor of International Law at the University of Glasgow, he has also held the Swiss Chairs for Human Rights and for International Humanitarian Law at the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, and has been a Senior Fellow and Programme Adviser for Emerging Security Challenges at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, as well as Research Director at the Centre for Business and Human Rights at the University of Zürich.

Combining Sociocultural Intelligence with Artificial Intelligence to Increase Organizational Cyber Security Provision through Enhanced Resilience

Although artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can be deployed to improve cyber security management, not all managers understand the different types of AI/ML and how they are to be deployed alongside the benefits associated with sociocultural intelligence. The aim of this paper was to provide a context within which managers can better appreciate the role that sociocultural intelligence plays so that they can better utilize AI/ML to facilitate cyber threat intelligence (CTI). We focused our attention on explaining how different approaches to intelligence (i.e., the intelligence cycle (IC) and the critical thinking process (CTP)) can be combined and linked with cyber threat intelligence (CTI) so that AI/ML is used effectively. A small group interview was undertaken with five senior security managers based in a range of companies, all of whom had extensive security knowledge and industry experience. The findings suggest that organizational learning, transformational leadership, organizational restructuring, crisis management, and corporate intelligence are fundamental components of threat intelligence and provide a basis upon which a cyber threat intelligence cycle process (CTICP) can be developed to aid the resilience building process. The benefit of this is to increase organizational resilience by more firmly integrating the intelligence activities of the business so that a proactive approach to cyber security management is achieved.

Implementing Converged Security Risk Management: Drivers, Barriers, and Facilitators

Converged security risk management is an approach that addresses interdependencies between security-related business functions that have traditionally been managed by separate departments within organizations. It is a more effective means of addressing organizational security risks and threats than tackling physical and information security challenges separately, given that the boundaries between the two are frequently blurred. However, fully converged security remains the exception rather than the rule, leaving organizations increasingly vulnerable as their adoption and reliance on digital technologies accelerates. Through interviews with eight senior security professionals, this research identified key factors critical to effective converged security risk management, expressed as ‘drivers,’ ‘barriers,’ and ‘facilitators.’ The practitioners’ accounts illuminated how the modern threat landscape continues to drive further the need for such an approach, while the traditional separation of corporate security departments from the information security function in organizations remains a barrier. A greater focus on training and education, as well as soft skills, were identified as key priorities in the drive for an effective converged approach.

Role of Ministerial media arms during COVID-19 in Malaysia

The recent outbreak of novel corona virus known as COVID-19, has caused over 556.335 deaths, left more than 12 million infected people worldwide by 11th of July 2020 (Organization, 2020a), in addition to global negative impact on nearly most life sectors. Media played -and still- a vital role in the containment of this global health threat by spreading the essential knowledge and awareness between people. Comparing to its neighbours, Malaysia seems to have good score in the battle of COVID-19. With 8,815 confirmed cases, 8,562 total discharged cases and 123 deaths by 21th of July 2020 (Malaysia, 2020), it was interesting to study the role of media in shaping people's awareness during the current global crisis to face the danger of such virus on the national level. Aim: To analyse and understand the Malaysian government role in shaping people’s awareness toward COVID-19. Method: Authors are tracking and analysing the ministerial media arms role in handling the situation, based on the official data and statements released by the national news agency, Bernama. This article is divided into three main parts as it discusses the role of three specific governmental official; Prime Minister, General Director of Ministry of Health, and Senior Security Minister, Findings: The Malaysian governmental officials namely; Prime Minister, General Director of Ministry of Health, and Senior Security Minister followed a successful strategy during COVID-19 pandemic to rely a part on people’s awareness by providing them with the accurate information to avoid the viral spread of fake news. Conclusion: Malaysia was able to contain the pandemic on the national level powered by people’s awareness

ROLE OF MINISTERIAL MEDIA ARMS DURING COVID-19 IN MALAYSIA

The recent outbreak of novel corona virus known as COVID-19, has caused over 556.335 deaths, left more than 12 million infected people worldwide by 11th of July 2020 (Organization, 2020a), in addition to global negative impact on nearly most life sectors. Media played -and still- a vital role in the containment of this global health threat by spreading the essential knowledge and awareness between people. Comparing to its neighbours, Malaysia seems to have good score in the battle of COVID-19. With 8,815 confirmed cases, 8,562 total discharged cases and 123 deaths by 21th of July 2020 (Malaysia, 2020), it was interesting to study the role of media in shaping people’s awareness during the current global crisis to face the danger of such virus on the national level. Aim: To analyse and understand the Malaysian government role in shaping people’s awareness toward COVID-19. Method: Authors are tracking and analysing the ministerial media arms role in handling the situation, based on the official data and statements released by the national news agency, Bernama. This article is divided into three main parts as it discusses the role of three specific governmental official; Prime Minister, General Director of Ministry of Health, and Senior Security Minister, Findings: The Malaysian governmental officials namely; Prime Minister, General Director of Ministry of Health, and Senior Security Minister followed a successful strategy during COVID-19 pandemic to rely a part on people’s awareness by providing them with the accurate information to avoid the viral spread of fake news. Conclusion: Malaysia was able to contain the pandemic on the national level powered by people’s awareness.

Role of Ministerial Media Arms During COVID-19 In Malaysia

Introduction: The recent outbreak of novel corona virus known as COVID-19, has caused over 556.335 deaths, left more than 12 million infected people worldwide by 11th of July 2020 (Organization, 2020a), in addition to global negative impact on nearly most life sectors. Media played -and still- a vital role in the containment of this global health threat by spreading the essential knowledge and awareness between people. Comparing to its neighbours, Malaysia seems to have good score in the battle of COVID-19. With 8,815 confirmed cases, 8,562 total discharged cases and 123 deaths by 21th of July 2020 (Malaysia, 2020), itwas interesting to study the role of media in shaping people's awareness during the current global crisis to face the danger of such virus on the national level. Aim: To analyse and understand the Malaysian government role in shaping people’s awareness toward COVID-19. Method: Authors are tracking and analysing the ministerial media arms role in handling the situation, based on the official data and statements released by the national news agency, Bernama. This article is divided into three main parts as it discusses the role of three specific governmental official; Prime Minister, General Director of Ministry of Health, and Senior Security Minister, Findings: The Malaysian governmental officials namely Prime Minister, General Director of Ministry of Health, and Senior Security Minister followed a successful strategy during COVID-19 pandemic to rely a part on people’s awareness by providing them with the accurate information to avoid the viral spread of fake news. Conclusion: Malaysia was able to contain the pandemic on the national level powered by people’s awareness.

Cyber Security: Advice from the Front Line

Abstract Joseph Rose is a Senior Security Architect for a large financial institution. Johanna Hamilton AMBCS asks him about the challenges of cyber security for the decade and why humans pose more problems than quantum.

Human Rights at the Time of Transition: How Security Forces Can be Held Accountable in a Divided Community?

Abstract The Palestinian Authority has established various mechanisms to monitor its security forces and hold them accountable over human rights violations. This article explores and assesses the accountability measures that deal with the human rights abuses arising from the excessive use of force in light of international standards, particularly human rights treaties that Palestine has acceded to in recent years. The use of force may occur in different contexts, including during demonstrations, while enforcing the law against criminal acts, searches, lawlessness, in detention, interrogation, investigation and in prisons. The article traces the accountability processes that arise in such circumstances. Alongside reviewing domestic legislation and cases as well as citing relevant literature, the article employs empirical qualitative field research approach by conducting a series of interviews with senior security officials, particularly top commanders and those in charge of accountability within the government and security agencies along with NGOs, experts, academics and field-based international institutions.

Recurring Armed Conflict in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo: an Insight into the SADC Intervention Problematique

Conflict recurrence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) provides a litmus test to the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC’s) capacity to sustainably resolve the conflict and build peace. The surrender of the March 23 (M23) rebels, followed by overtures to incorporate the same into the Congolese military and political institutions, seem not to have made much significant impact on the security stability in the eastern part of the country. Armed activities by militia groups such as the Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda (FDLR), the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), and various Mayi Mayi groups are likely to cause a recurrence of a fully fledged armed conflict in eastern Congo. Whilst the UN Mission for the Stabilisation of Congo (MONUSCO), along with its Intervention Brigade continue to make efforts to support the Congolese government to address the security situation in the country, this article presents a critical analysis on the prospects and constraints of SADC to sustainably resolve the conflict and build peace in the context of conflict recurrence. For purposes of conflict resolution and peacebuilding, the DRC falls within SADC’s area of sub-regional responsibility, which overlaps that of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR). The paper looks at the political/diplomatic and military/ security initiatives that SADC can take to complement the current efforts of critical role players such as MONUSCO and ICGLR in sustainably resolving the recurring conflict and building peace.It also analyses the prospects of such sub-regional initiatives. Considering the conflict matrix of the eastern Congo conflict with specific reference to its recurrence, an examination of the likely constraints that SADC could encounter in trying to resolve the eastern Congo conflict will be presented. Policy suggestions will be proffered on what can be done to encounter such constraints.The research adopted a qualitative approach premised on interviews. Secondary sources, including key policy documents and statements of the SADC, AU, ICGLR and UN, were utilised. To complement the primary sources, structured opportunity interviews were conducted at seminars and workshops with academics and senior political and security analysts conversant with the SADC conflict and peace dynamics.

A KAP STUDY ON PARAMEDICS INSECURITY - QILLA ABDULLAH BALUCHISTAN

Objective: To determine cognitive impact of insecurity on first line paramedics in Chaman, Qilla Abdullah Baluchistan health care facilities. Methods: This is a KAP study conducted among public and private sector first line paramedics, senior security officers, medical consultants and employees of law enforcement agencies. Cognitive impact of insecurity was calculated with the help of Questionnaire consists of 10 statements with a Cronbach Alpha reliability. Basic data was gathered on 5 point Likert scale however, for final assessment, options of ‘Strongly Agree and Agree’ were merged together while options of ‘Disagree and Strongly Disagree’ were merged for a clear picture of the opinion of the respondents. Results: In this study 56 personnel participated, out of which 48 (85.7%) were males. Physical and human insecurity were classified as major types of insecurity (76.2%). Major sources identified were cross border terrorist/militant attacks, violent extremism incidents, sub-standard medical facilities/infrastructure, degraded socio-economic facilities and lack of awareness. Severe psychological and behavioural disorders was observed at various stages and groups both in Public and private sectors first line paramedics. Conclusion: Pakistan is facing diverse security challenges. It has impacted all the segments of our society. First line paramedics are considered as essential services and actively involved in supporting warwounded/terrorism hit patients at western borders. Due to poor security conditions and lack of facilities these medical operators are facing various security issues affecting their psychological behavior.

MILITARY AND SECURITY EDUCATION FOR REGIONAL CO-OPERATION : A CASE STUDY OF THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEFENCE AND SECURITY MANAGEMENT NETWORK

This article first summarises approaches to military and security education at tertiary levels for officers and senior security officials, identifying some institutional and conceptual issues, before moving on to a fairly detailed case study of the Southern African Defence and Security Management Network (SADSEM). In its institutional form, from 2000 to 2010, SADSEM was a unique experiment in building a regional network of universities providing training and education in security studies, promoting regional security co-operation and integration and working closely with security forces and governments in the Southern African region. Although it mostly worked in English, it also carried out education and research in French and Portuguese, established an institutional base in ten Southern African Development Community (SADC) nations and delivered programmes in all the then 15 of them. Its activities included providing training and education for defence and security management, civil-military relations, peacekeeping and peacebuilding, policy support and the building of scholarly capacity though regional co-operation. Today SADSEM activities are restricted mainly to an annual security review conference, but its real legacy is in the institutions and capacities it built within several Southern African countries, although not all survive. SADSEM kept a low profile because of extreme sensitivities in Southern Africa around security issues, and this is the first attempt to examine its experience in the context of higher-level security education and training.

How effective are sovereign bond-backed securities as a spillover prevention device?

Brunnermeier et al. (2017) propose the introduction of sovereign bond-backed securities (SBBS) in the euro area. It and other papers address how the securitisation would insulate senior security holders from actual default-related losses. This article generalises the assessment by using the VAR-based Diebold & Yilmaz (2012) spillover index methodology to assess potential attenuation of the spillover of shocks in holding-period returns across asset markets from the introduction of SBBS. This is made possible by employing SBBS yields estimated from historical euro area member state sovereign bond yields using Monte Carlo methods, as described in Schönbucher (2003). The econometric results show that (i) SBBS tranching protects senior SBBS holders by reducing the spillover of shocks from the higher-risk peripheral member states to it; (ii) spillovers from high risk sovereigns to a weighted portfolio are much higher than those to the senior SBBS; (iii) a smaller junior SBBS tranche reduces spillover from it to the senior SBBS; and (iv) rolling window analysis indicates that the spillover of shocks from the junior tranche to the senior tranche declines during a period of financial stress.

An exploration of reflective practice in security risk management: how senior security managers experience reflective practice

ABSTRACTThis study explored how senior security risk managers experience reflective practice. It looked specifically at the extent to which the practitioners reflected on their own practice, the ways in which they did so, and the usefulness of reflective practice for security risk management managers. Grounded theory methodology was used to collect and analyse relevant data. The outcome of the study is two-fold. From a theoretical perspective, the study provides a substantive theory about how senior security risk management practitioners experience reflective practice. From a professional practice angle, the study offers essential functional information about reflective practice in security risk management.

The Search for a Euro Area Safe Asset

This paper evaluates four approaches to creating or asset portfolios for the euro area: (1) a diversified portfolio of senior tranches of sovereign debt (national tranching); (2) a senior security backed by a diversified pool of national sovereign debt (ESBies); (3) debt issued by a senior financial intermediary, backed by a diversified pool of national debt (E-bonds); and (4) debt issued by a euro area budget or a leveraged wealth fund, based on member state contributions or dedicated direct revenue sources. None of these approaches envisages explicit guarantees by member states, and all could potentially produce safe assets in sufficient quantities to replace euro area sovereign bond holdings in euro area banks. At the same time, the four approaches differ across several important dimensions. A euro area budget or wealth fund could create the largest volume of safe assets, followed by ESBies, E-bonds, and national tranching. A euro area budget or wealth fund is also likely to have the lowest impact on the structure and liquidity of national bond markets, while national tranching would have the largest impact. ESBies and E-bonds occupy an intermediate position. ESBies and potentially bonds issued by a euro area budget would offer their holders greater protection from deep national defaults than the other two proposals. Both ESBies and national tranching would avoid cross-country redistribution by construction, whereas E-bonds and a euro area budget could have significant distributional consequences, depending on their design. E-bonds are unique in that they would raise the marginal cost of sovereign debt issuance at higher levels of debt, thereby exerting fiscal discipline, without necessarily raising average debt costs for lower-rated borrowers.

How Effective are Sovereign Bond-Backed Securities as a Spillover Prevention Device?

Brunnermeier et al. (2017) propose the introduction of sovereign bond-backed securities (SBBS) in the euro area. It and other papers address how the securitisation would insulate senior security holders from actual default-related losses. This article generalises the assessment by using the VAR-based Diebold & Yilmaz (2012) spillover index methodology to assess potential attenuation of the spillover of shocks in holding-period returns across asset markets from the introduction of SBBS. This is made possible by employing SBBS yields estimated from historical euro area member state sovereign bond yields using Monte Carlo methods, as described in Schonbucher (2003). The econometric results show that (i) SBBS tranching protects senior SBBS holders by reducing the spillover of shocks from the higher-risk peripheral member states to it; (ii) spillovers from high risk sovereigns to a weighted portfolio are much higher than those to the senior SBBS; (iii) a smaller junior SBBS tranche, and the introduction of a mezzanine security, reduces spillover from it to the senior SBBS; and (iv) rolling window analysis indicates that the spillover of shocks from the junior tranche to the senior tranche declines during a period of financial stress. JEL Classification: C58, G11, G12, G17

How Effective are Sovereign Bond-Backed Securities as a Spillover Prevention Device?

Brunnermeier et al. (2017) propose the introduction of sovereign bond-backed securities (SBBS) in the euro area. It and other papers address how the securitisation would insulate senior security holders from actual default-related losses. This article generalises the assessment by using the VAR-based Diebold & Yilmaz (2012) spillover index methodology to assess potential attenuation of the spillover of shocks in holding-period returns across asset markets from the introduction of SBBS. This is made possible by employing SBBS yields estimated from historical euro area member state sovereign bond yields using Monte Carlo methods, as described in Schonbucher (2003). The econometric results show that (i) SBBS tranching protects senior SBBS holders by reducing the spillover of shocks from the higher-risk peripheral member states to it; (ii) spillovers from high risk sovereigns to a weighted portfolio are much higher than those to the senior SBBS; (iii) a smaller junior SBBS tranche, and the introduction of a mezzanine security, reduces spillover from it to the senior SBBS; and (iv) rolling window analysis indicates that the spillover of shocks from the junior tranche to the senior tranche declines during a period of financial stress.

PROBABILITY DENSITY OF RECOVERY RATE GIVEN DEFAULT OF A FIRM’S DEBT AND ITS CONSTITUENT TRANCHES

This paper derives the theoretical underpinnings behind the following observed empirical facts in credit risk modeling: The probability of default, the seniority, the thickness of the tranche, the debt cushion, and macroeconomic factors are the important determinants of the conditional probability density function of the recovery rate given default (RGD) of a firm’s debt and its tranches. In a portfolio of debt securities, the conditional probability density functions of the recovery rate given default of tranches have point probability masses near zero and one, and the expected value of the recovery rate given default increases as the seniority or debt cushion increases. The paper derives other results as well, such as the fact that the conditional probability distribution function associated with any senior tranche dominates that of any junior tranche by first-order. The standard deviation of the recovery rate given default of a senior security need not be greater than that of a junior security. It is proved that the expected value of the recovery rate given default need not increase as the proportional thickness of the tranche increases.

The National Security Lawyer, in Crisis: When the 'Best View' of the Law May Not Be the Best View

The Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel has committed to certain principles for the conduct of its legal advisory function, one of which is a commitment to providing the executive a “best view” of the law while nonetheless “facilitating” where possible the executive’s policy objectives. The standard is closely related to a conception of the Office’s standing, developed after Watergate in the Carter Administration, as a source of fully independent legal advice insulated to the maximum extent possible from political and policy pressure. This adherence to “best view” has been the source of considerable comment and criticism when the Office has appeared to depart from this standard in supplying the executive with legal positions that may qualify as “reasonable” or “plausible” but fall manifestly short of what scholars and other observers judged to be the best possible reading of the law. This Article questions the “best view” as a standard that should bind the OLC, or any other senior legal advisers, in advising the executive in a national security crisis. It challenges the best view theory both as an empirically unsustainable account of how lawyers in fact perform in a crisis setting, and as a theoretically unjustified constraint on the range of legal options that a president’s legal advisers should be expected to offer. Among the criticisms is the absence of a fully coherent conception of “best view,” and the risk that best view claims mask what are less legal, and more policy, disagreements. The Article sets out an alternative of legal positions grounded in reasonable, good faith readings of the law, subject to thoroughgoing transparency requirements. One consequence of this revised view of crisis lawyering is that it is no longer clear that OLC should have the primary if not decisive role in determining the lead advice that the executive should receive when confronting a critical national security challenge. An alternative decision-making model would assure that OLC views are considered but would allow for a crisis management structure with different leadership on legal issues, including but not limited to the Counsel to the President, and closer, more open dialogue between lawyers and policy makers. The Article insists that the key to the executive checking function is a detailed public accounting of the legal advisory structure established to support the president’s decision-making in crisis and of the substance of the Administration’s formal legal position. Apart from an assessment of the literature and expositions of “best view,” the Article draws on historical and contemporary sources that aid in a dispassionate analysis of the response of lawyers to policy and political pressure in crisis. One such source is the historical record of the functioning of the executive’s legal advisory process in two major national security crises: the bases-for-destroyers exchange with Great Britain intended to shore up that country’s defense against the German military onslaught, and the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. Primary source materials, including memoirs and documents authored by senior legal advisers, supply useful insight into the challenges of crisis lawyering. A second source are senior national security lawyers who have served in recent Administrations and who agreed to be interviewed for this Article about their personal experience with the conflicts between “best view” and the responsibility to advance where possible the executive’s policy objectives.

Early-Stage Term Sheets

This note was written as an updated version of Early-Stage Term Sheet (UVA-F-1444) and may be used in its place.In seeking funding for an early-stage company, the entrepreneur and investor will confront choices about the amount, terms, and conditions of the financing. These terms are usually set forth in a term sheet that contains a host of provisions designed to protect the value of an investor's capital. These terms define the investor's rights as a holder of a senior security to common stock and are designed to secure the investor's ownership position, provide the right to monitor and control important company decisions, and facilitate exit from the investment. The note focuses on a few key aspects of these terms—antidilution, liquidation preference, dividends, control rights, and redemption—all of which are widely regarded by practitioners as having the greatest ability to affect the economic returns for the parties involved in an early-stage investment. Although not meant to be exhaustive, the examples offer a perspective on how a term can be worded in order to confer differential rights between the parties. Excerpt UVA-F-1730 Rev. Oct. 8, 2018 Early-Stage Term Sheets In seeking funding for an early-stage company, the entrepreneur and investor will confront choices about not only the amount, but also the terms and conditions, of the financing. These terms are usually set forth in a term sheet that contains a host of provisions designed—in varying degrees—to protect the value of an investor's capital. These terms define the investor's rights as a holder of a senior security to common stock and are designed to secure the investor's ownership position, provide the right to monitor and control important company decisions, and facilitate exit from the investment. The note focuses on a few key aspects of these terms—antidilution (AD), liquidation preference, dividends, control rights, and redemption—all of which are widely regarded by practitioners as having the greatest ability to affect the economic returns for the parties involved in an early-stage investment. Although in any given transaction a particular issue could arise that would require terms other than those covered here, most early-stage investments require a basic understanding of these terms because they cover rights relating to the preservation of capital and the size of the potential returns. These rights will be of concern to both entrepreneurs and investors in all early-stage deals. At the end of the discussion of each term, a chart highlights how these terms can be structured through the negotiating process to fall on a spectrum between investor-friendly terms and entrepreneur-friendly terms. Although not meant to be exhaustive, the examples offer a perspective on how a term can be worded in order to confer differential rights between the parties. Types of Securities . . .

The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: Palestinian Officials' Perspective on the George W. Bush Administration's Intervention

Successive US administrations, including that of George W. Bush, have not recognized Palestinian interests and demands. The Bush administration initially showed a lack of serious intent to intervene in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and had a negative position toward the Palestinians and their interests. However, subsequent Bush administration mediation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict gained the Palestinians' acceptance. This essay investigates the motivations and reasons behind the Palestinian officials' endorsement of the mediation. The researchers conducted 6 face-to-face interviews and 112 structured interviews with senior Palestinians, including negotiators, security officials, political leaders, parliamentarians, academicians, and experts in the field.