Alan Oxley is Professor of Computer and Information Sciences at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS in Malaysia. Alan is an all-rounder in Computer Science and has written numerous academic articles and chapters. Recently he was awarded a research stipend by the IBM Center for the Business of Government. The research led to the publication of the report entitled A Best Practices Guide for Mitigating Risk in the Use of Social Media. A considerably more expansive exposition of the topic is presented in this book.

• List of figures and tablesList of abbreviationsAcknowledgementsPrefaceAbout the authorIntroductionChapter 1: Web 2.0 and social mediaAbstract:BackgroundWeb 2.0The future of the webThe future of social mediaChapter 2: Non-frivolous uses of social media in the public sectorAbstract:The potential of Web 2.0The potential of social mediaThe potential of wikisExample Web 2.0 applicationsTeaching and learningThe use of social media in emergenciesSentiment analysis: finding out opinionsUses of Twitter in public service departmentsDiscovering applicationsChapter 3: Security threats to social media technologiesAbstract:SecurityThreats to information systems in the public sectorThe impacts of social media malpracticeSpecific threats: examples and applicationsChapter 4: Security controls applied to the participation-collaboration patternAbstract:Types of security controlManagement security controlsTechnical controlsOperational security controlsGovernanceDeciding what security controls are appropriateWho is involved in security?Chapter 5: Acceptable use practicesAbstract:Reasons for acceptable use policiesThe content of acceptable use policiesAcceptable use policies for citizensAcceptable use policies for public service employeesAdvice for K-12 schoolsChapter 6: Participation and collaboration in K-12 schoolsAbstract:IntroductionThreats to participation–collaboration in K-12 schoolsSecurity controls for online media in schoolsParental participation–collaboration in K-12 schoolsPast research and possible researchChapter 7: Mitigating the risks of identity theft and malwareAbstract:IntroductionSocial media sitesUnsolicited messages, files, and hyperlinks sent by emailOther threats: thumb drivesChapter 8: ConclusionAbstract:ReferencesFurther readingAppendix 1: SharePointAppendix 2: Twitter application programming interfacesAppendix 3: Examples of general threats and a controlAppendix 4: Examples of rogue unsolicited email messagesAppendix 5: Key terms in secure computingAppendix 6: Acceptable use policies for citizensAppendix 7: Acceptable use policies for public service employeesAppendix 8: Products to facilitate parental involvement and engagement in K-12 schoolsIndex