In this study, the development of focal participants’ technological literacy also was closely related to another 21st-century proficiency known as information literacy. Information literacy refers to the ability to seek out and critically evaluate information across a range of media. This includes recognizing when information is needed and then using technology, such as communication networks and electronic resources, to locate, evaluate, synthesize, and put this information to use (NCREL, 2003). One of Nanako’s sources of computer-related knowledge was the computer classes she was taking in school. However, the emphasis in school-based Breitling Replica computer classes is often on basic or mechanical aspects of computer use or computer-based reproductions of print-based activities.

Thus, the skills from her computer classes did not all readily transfer to her extracurricular computer-based activities. In fact, the primary way that Grace, Nanako, and Cherry-chan developed their technological literacy was by accessing online sources of information and tapping into networks of people who were skilled at using these technologies.

This finding is akin to the findings of Chandler-Olcott and Mahar’s (2003b) study investigating adolescent girls’ technology-mediated literacy practices. In this article, the authors focused on two focal participants, Rhiannon and Eileen, who created and designed multimodal texts within the anime fan community. The authors also emphasize the point that these young women did not receive mentorship for their technology use in schools. Instead, they relied on related Breitling Replica Watches print resources or went online to seek out examples of and explicit instructions for how to design tech-savvy texts.  Read more...

The information security threat landscape continues to evolve and is becoming more and more sophisticated day-by-day, while attackers are continuously exploiting new vulnerabilities through a range of new methods and techniques. Along with the increase in the sophistication, the speed and scale of the attacks has become unprecedented. Adding to this is the increasing business complexity and the pressure to comply with complex regulatory requirements.

There is a growing need for enterprises to minimize the risks to their business operations by employing right techniques to prevent the attacks at all facets of the IT infrastructure, applications, and data. One good thing is that enterprises are waking up to this reality and most of them have started focusing on increasing their security spend and changing their priorities towards security. There has been growing prominence among enterprises on data security, network security, application security, business continuity/disaster recovery, threat management, and compliance management.

While data security and network security are on top of the priority list, application security is also gaining huge significance more than ever with Consumerization of IT presenting a great challenge in terms of security for IT decision makers. With all these factors posing higher threat to enterprises’ mission critical data, security testing is gaining huge significance to address their several information security challenges. It effectively deals with several issues ranging from performance issues to security failures while also keeping a tab on overspending. There are several security testing practices that deal with each of the enterprise security requirements.  Read more...

Cyber-attackers use automated hacking tools and techniques to breach computer networks and systems. Negligence by Internet users only adds to the convenience of the hackers. Password authentication is crucial for ensuring data integrity and confidentiality. However, many Internet users continue to be careless in their approach to information security. Use of predictable passwords and the habit of using same password on multiple websites serves as an open invitation for hackers to gain access to sensitive personal information. Recently, security management solutions company, InMezzo announced collaboration with the University of Kent to evolve biometric authentication services.

The primary purpose behind the initiative is to ensure security of telecare applications. Telecare applications are used in care environments for the older and disabled people. InMezzo and University of Kent endeavor to develop a multi-factor authentication service, which would recognize people by their voices and faces. The service may not only strengthen the defenses against hacking attacks, but also add to the convenience of the elderly and the disabled.

InMezzo and University of Kent have successfully won a bid to install secure information security systems under a national program in the United Kingdom. An organization named Technology Strategy Board is contributing resources for the program.

Students of the University of Kents School of Engineering and Digital Arts are undertaking research to devise different pattern recognition techniques, which may aid in identifying people through their faces, voice, eye scans and fingerprints.
The biometric authentication systems will facilitate the disadvantaged to gain easy access to telecare systems and applications.  Read more...

Threats to the security in the internet have risen in the past years. Indeed, it has loomed its gray clouds in almost everyone; from a person’s privacy, corporate and government secrets, security of finances and many more, which can damage not only their finances and information but as well as their reputation. Cyber threats are seen everywhere and those who are threatened need cyber experts to prevent the risk and control the damage. Because of the rise of these threats, security experts and opportunities for them are growing rapidly and as the threat evolves so should be a master in information security.

Better Opportunities

Every industry needs someone who can deal with this problem, which is why someone who is a graduate of ms information security is needed. There are many career options and roles for these cyber security experts.

And each year, these opportunities grow and more job opportunities will open – awaiting those competent people who can do the job.

Opportunities for cyber security professionals are open for many industries such as financial sectors, utilities, private sectors, business companies and even the government. The roles they have to fill in would be dependant on the industry’s needs. Positions are available in many areas like cyber security consultants, legal, development of internet security, antivirus programming, analysts for mobile codes, reverse engineering, and even researchers.

Needed Skills  Read more...

In the ever-changing age of information, it is often hard to keep track of where information is stored, how often and most importantly how safe it is. There have been various information security Acts issued by governments to keep our information safe and secure but these are broad information issues, not coming close to keeping up with fast paced technological developments we have seen in the past 10 years.

The internet opened up a world of information to us, but it also created many services that take this information and use it to store and share with others. Some examples include social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Google+. At an individual level some people object to using these services as they do not want their personal details shared with others. While this is a choice people can make in their personal lives, sometimes businesses require the use of information in order to function.

Gathering information is a common occurrence by businesses.

On a daily basis, information is recorded as we interact with companies. Our names and addresses for delivery details, our payment information for the company accounts or our preferences used for marketing purposes are all stored for future reference. There comes a point in all small companies when the methods of collecting and storing this information are required to be secure.  Read more...