Call for papers:
IBM Systems Journal issue
On
Harmonizing Security and Privacy
The IBM Systems Journal is planning a special issue on the topic of harmonizing security and privacy. We
chose the term harmonize over the usual balance because what is needed is for security and privacy
policies and actions to be compatible with one another that is, to be harmonious. Across industry,
government and the non-profit sector, security and privacy are becoming an increasing concern of
information technology and policy professionals. The need for technology solutions and policies that
reflect and instantiate security and privacy is paramount. Privacy and security are often pitted against one
another, and at times these two values may appear to be in direct conflict. However, this conflict can be
eliminated or minimized in many situations with adequate forethought, planning, and technical and policy
expertise. This special issue of the journal will draw upon the rich experience of IBM, members of the IT
industry, government agencies, and academia in developing technology and policy solutions to explore
how and to what extent privacy and security imperatives can be harmonized, and crisply identify where
trade-offs must be made.
This issue (volume 48, number 1) will be printed in February 2009, with papers appearing on the Web 1-4
months earlier. Charles Palmer (Research) and Deirdre K. Mulligan (UC Berkeley) will serve as
coordinators for this special issue of the IBM Systems Journal.
The issue will focus on harmonizing security and privacy through technology and policy. Topics include
(but are not limited to):
Processes for integrating privacy and security in product design and
implementation
Tools and techniques for identifying privacy and security (or other value)
commitments and translating them into design requirements
Interdisciplinary collaborations to harmonize privacy and security
Systematizing privacy and security in business or government
Role of policy in harmonizing privacy and security objectives
International challenges and approaches posed by differing conceptions of
values, differences in prioritization of values, different technology choices as
well as market and legal factors
Unique public sector balance challenges of eVoting, medical records, video
surveillance, etc.
Adding convenience and ease of use to the harmonization challenge
The impact of Web 2.0, social computing & social networking ability to
maintain and protect privacy and/or security
Roles of the public and private sector in clarifying and prioritizing amongst
privacy and security goals
Identifying who is responsible for maintaining the balance
Challenges of designing systems that harmonize these values yet remain
usable and convenient for end-users
In order to help us plan these issue prospective authors should notify their intent to submit a paper by
sending in a title and a short abstract by December 14, 2007. Authors of accepted abstracts will be
notified by January 15, 2008. April 15, 2008 will be the paper submission deadline. Papers are limited to
8000 words and 6 figures. Notice of acceptance will be sent by July 31, 2008, and papers will be published
on the Web as soon as each is in final form.
The IBM Systems Journal is a quarterly, refereed technical publication, featuring the work of authors from
systems and software fields in information science and the computer industry. The papers are written for
a technically aware readership in the software, systems, and services professional community worldwide:
technical professionals, researchers, and users. Each paper is peer-reviewed for content, currency, and
value by recognized experts in the field.
Papers are published on the Internet in PDF and HTML formats. Over 24,000 printed copies are
distributed to IBM customers, employees, and paid subscribers. The IBM Systems Journal is more widely
distributed and read than most professional society journals. The Internet site is accessed by over 300,000
readers/month. The Journal is in the top 20% of computer science journals based on citations.
Here is an excerpt from the information for authors:
"A paper may describe original work, discuss a new technique or application, present a survey of recent
work in a given field, or provide tutorial information. Concepts and underlying principles should be
emphasized, with enough background information to orient the reader who is not a specialist in the
subject. The desired focus is on new technology or science, rather than products per se. It is important to
describe the value of specific work within the broader framework to which it pertains."
Important dates:
December 14, 2007: Titles and abstracts to be sent to Charles Palmer
January 15, 2008: Authors of accepted abstracts notified.
April 15, 2008: Final papers are due.
July 31, 2008: Final paper acceptances sent out.
February 2009: Issue Publication.
