Strategies Used by Organizations to Enhance Security in their Social Network Pages - Research Proposal Example

Technology Management Proposal to Apply for PHD Research topic chosen: An investigation of the strategies used by organizations in order to enhance security in their social network pages. Abstract Technology management is a process that entails directing, planning, control as well as coordinating the establishment as well as the implementation of the technological abilities to achieve and shape operational and strategic goals of an institution. In this proposal a review of technology management using past literature is done with an aim of exploring how technology management applications and methodologies have developed over time. The paper has accessed security issues in social media and the strategies used by organizations to enhance security in their social network pages. Information will be collected using both the primary and secondary data collection tools. The data acquired will be analyzed using statistical methods such as SPSS and AMOS. The information will be aimed at indicating future growth for the technology management by addressing the issues of security in social network. Introduction Technology management entails planning, controlling and coordinating, and directing the development as well as the implementation of all the technological capabilities deemed to help shape as well as achieve the operational and planned objectives of any organization (Rosenberg, 1994; Coombs, 1994; Pavitt 1987; Chen et al, 2002). Furthermore, according to Tushman, and O’Reilly, 1997 technology management involves identifying key technology as well as its related areas for development, planning for the growth of technology capabilities; determine whether to pursue self-development, founding organization mechanisms for coordinating and directing the growth of technology capabilities as well as the designing the policy measures required for controls (Pavitt, 1987; Ashok, and Banerjee, 2003.) Typically, technology aim at fulfilling the management requirements of a particular set of technologies in a domain as well as an inter- domain relationship and also in developing the implementation strategies as per the available present technologies, resources, socio economic environment as well as future markets (Drejer, 1997; Dangelmaier et al. 1999). As a result of this, the technology management has become a vital subject and this has made the technology development community developing a number of applications as well as methodologies for both the practical applications and academic research (Kropsu-Vehkapera et al. 2009; Akoka and Comyn-Wattiau, 1996). Moreover, technology management has attracted significant efforts to explore its concepts, systems, theories, nature, architectures, tools, frameworks, functions, tools as well as real implementations so as to be able to demonstrate technology management applications and their methodologies (Wang, 1993; Coombs, 1994; Pavitt, 1987). With respect to technology management, this research proposal seeks to assess security issues in social media and the strategies used by organizations to enhance security in their social network pages. Research questions This paper seeks to answer the following research questions: Investigation of security issues in social networking Analysis of the strategies used by the organizations to enhance security in their social network pages. Problem statement In the contemporary world, security in social networks has become a major issue of concern. These sites are highly targeted by hackers who offer chances to access large quantities of both organizational and personal information. Research reports on security indicate that hacking attempts on social media are increasing at a high rate. Various methods have been proposed in trying to help solve these security issues but full solutions have not been attained yet, and thus there is need for organizations employing these tools to come up with a comprehensive security strategy. It is against this backdrop that the researcher seeks to explore this area further. It is hoped that the observations made will contribute significantly to the existing knowledge in the field. Objectives From this study, the researcher aims at realizing the following objectives To examine the security issues in social media To analyze how organizations are implementing comprehensive security strategies with an aim of mitigating the problem in question. Significance This research will be of great significance to individuals and organizations in Saudi Arabia among others who come across it across the world. It is apparent, in the modern world; most organizations are employing social media as a tool of advertising their products and services. However, this has been affected greatly by security problems whereby hackers have taken advantage of accessing organizational information and using it for their own benefits. Furthermore, these hackers add ads to the organization social media pages which as a result affect the organization’s image greatly. Some organizations have also been reported to have lost millions of dollars and potential customers due to insecurity problems in social media. To make sure that this problem is solved, organizations require enough knowledge on the effective strategies to use to enhance security on their social network pages which will be provided by this research. Most important is the increased knowledge and understanding in the area of social network and security the researcher will gain. This will help the researcher come up with the right conclusions and recommendations that will be of great help. Further the research will help other researchers who would want to research more on the field of technology management and in particular on the topic of management of social networks to enhance security. Literature review According to Fowler et al. (2009), social media has tremendously gained popularity for both individual as well as organizational use. Apparently, social media is a huge target for hackers that offer the opening to access organizational information and personal information in large quantities. The recently done reports on security indicate that hacking attempts on social media are on the increase (Joy, 2009). In addition, the reports also suggest that the businesses using the tools need to enforce comprehensive security strategy. However, the challenge has been how organizations can influence positive effects of the emerging tools while ensuring that the organizations are not exposed to unacceptable risks. Studies indicate that addressing potential effects on the social network bandwidth as well as giving the relevant training to employees as well as ensuring proper awareness of the social media security issues have not been achieved yet and as a result insecurity is on the rise (Davenport, 1993; Fowler et al. 2009). In addition, employees can leak much regulated information to the social media (Scott, 2009). This information can be accessed by hackers through infecting the network with spiteful codes that enable them connect to the web 2.0 platforms for example twitter and attack them with phishing expeditions, viruses, Trojan horses as well as spam (Scott, 2009; Joy, 2009). Once the information is accessed it is spread to other blogs and trade all over the world. As a result the organization is exposed and this poses a threat to its operations (Baccarini and Archer, 2001). These threats are supported by the flexibility of the web architecture which enables compromise as well as exploitation. It is apparent that social media upsurges the organizations security risks. For instance, social networking sites which include Wikipedia, YouTube, craigslist, Facebook and certain web services like Gmail as well as eBay make it possible for users to interact through podcasts, blogs , RSS feeds as well as other technologies (Fowler et al. 2009; AI-Habaibeh, 2002). These sites have greatly attracted large numbers of visitors and these make them attractive to also hackers who achieve the through by authentication hacking. Many organizations are trying to employ content control mechanisms to safeguard their networks as well as ensure maximum productivity (Burton, 1997; Walsham, 1993). There has been a problem however in trying to realize potential solutions (Scott, 2009; Arch-int, et al. 2003). According to past studies, blocking of social media sites in an attempt to enhance security has had negative effects (Walid, 2011). It is evident that by employing this strategy, the employees circumvent the security controls by use of a variety of means hence exposing the organizations to much more risks (Laudon and Laudon, 2002). This is a result of not training and informing the employees of the risks linked to their actions. The studies indicate that many breaches in the organizations are as a result of negligence and naivety of the employees (Walid, 2011; Dawood, 1996). Methodology Data collection in this research will mainly be from primary and secondary sources. The primary data will entail administering questionnaires to the employees of the National Co. for Cooperative insurance as well as the United Saudi Commercial Bank to investigate the strategies they use to enhance security in their social network pages. Moreover, the researcher will also carry out an interview on the top management of these organizations to acquire more information on security issues of the social network pages. On the other hand, secondary data collection will entail a review of the existing books, journals and publications on technology management will be done. In addition the strategies used by National Co. for cooperative insurance as well as the United Saudi Commercial Bank in order to enhance security in their social network pages will be assessed to help derive a conclusion. Further data will be obtained from the websites of these organizations as well as the reports made by these organizations. Data collected will be analyzed using statistical methods which include SPSS and AMOS. Timeline of the project Activity Time Data collection One weeks Data analysis Two weeks Data interpretation Two weeks Report preparation One week References Arch-int, S. and Batanov, D.N. 2003. Development of industrial information systems on the Web using business components. Computers in Industry, vol. 50, pp. 231–250. Ashok, S., and Banerjee, R., 2003. Optimal cool storage capacity for load management. Energy, vol. 28, pp. 115–126. Baccarini, D., Archer, R., 2001. The risk ranking of projects: a methodology. International Journal of Project Management, vol. 19, pp. 139–145 Laudon, K.C., and Laudon, J.P. 2002. Essential of Management Information Systems, 5th ed. New Jersey: Prentice Hall Inc. Kropsu-Vehkapera, H., Haapasalo, H. & Rusanen, J-P. 2009. Analysis of Technology Management Functions in Finnish High Tech Companies. The Open Management Journal, vol. 2, pp. 1–10. 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