International Journal of Criminology and Sociology

Determining Internal and External Risks in a Medical Center

Cheryl Ann Alexander, Lidong Wang — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

An enterprise stores information in the cloud providing virtual storage of data as virtual memory. Cloud increases the enterprise’s ability to offer data and service delivery, however it also increases the chances of a cybersecurity threat, and cyber risks, and increases the vulnerability of the enterprise to risks. It is important for the organization to perform risk management to determine cybersecurity risks. Cybersecurity is a key need for hospitals to manage threats of all types. Healthcare is notoriously vulnerable to cyber-attacks due to the valuable nature of patient information and the lack of updated medical equipment. In this paper, we discuss medical applications in cybersecurity, AI's role in cybersecurity, and risk management in medical cybersecurity.

Exploring the Spatiotemporal Evolution and Influencing Factors of Shooting Incidents in the United States

Zhuo Yang, Gang Li, Qifan Nie, Zhe Lin — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Drawing on data from the Gun Violence Archive, this study employs mathematical statistics, spatial analysis, and regression analysis to investigate the essential characteristics, spatiotemporal distribution, and influencing factors of shooting incidents in the United States from 2014 to 2023. The key findings are as follows:1) Demographically, the victims of shootings are predominantly male and older youths. Notably, indirect victimization is more prevalent among older youths, non-white youths (especially African American youths), those from higher-income households, and urban residents. 2) Temporally, there has been a rising trend in U.S. shootings over the decade from 2014 to 2023, with a pronounced increase during the pandemic period of 2019-2023. On a monthly basis, the incidence of shootings peaks from May to July. 3) Spatially, shooting incidents are largely concentrated in coastal regions, decreasing in frequency towards inland areas. Hotspots for shootings include states such as Texas, California, Louisiana, and Florida, followed by Indiana and New York.4) Various factors significantly influence the occurrence of shooting incidents, including family environment, ethnocultural context, residential conditions, business economy, and economic indicators.

Navigating Ethical Challenges in Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Technologies

Irenee Dondjio, Andreas Kazamias — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The emergence of blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies has transformed digital ecosystems, introducing opportunities for innovation and efficiency alongside profound ethical challenges. This paper explores key ethical considerations in cryptocurrency and blockchain, including the decentralization of financial systems, the balance between privacy and transparency, the use of blockchain for surveillance, and the socio-economic impacts on vulnerable populations. The authors delve into the contrasting emphasis on ethical considerations for financial solutions deployed in developed and developing countries. The borderless nature of blockchain and cryptocurrencies enables decentralised international transactions while simultaneously introducing specific challenges regarding the definition of applicable law and other jurisdictional legal matters. Through a combination of literature analysis and illustrative case studies, the authors examine the complex ethical dilemmas that accompany these technologies in combination with their actual and perceived links to crime. The findings aim to provide actionable insights for policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers, fostering the responsible and equitable adoption of blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies.

Can Crypto Currencies Challenge Sovereign Currencies? A Multidisciplinary Overview of Opportunities and Risks

Hicham Sadok, Mohammed El Hadi El Maknouzi — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Considered as a niche phenomenon, a kind of technological folklore, which could disappear overnight, cryptocurrency has been the subject of few multidisciplinary analyses to understand how a series of numbers, supported by no power to impose its use, could constitute a currency? The review of the available literature reveals a state of knowledge scattered in the different disciplines that are interested in it. The objective of this article is to remedy this by aggregating essential historical, economic, legal and technological knowledge developed in the study and analysis of this technical-financial innovation. The aim is to examine the opportunities, challenges and risks of using cryptocurrencies as an alternative to sovereign currency, through a nuance between the optimism of those who see in cryptocurrencies liberation from the monetary constraints of States, and the hostility of those who see in these innovations a utopian monetary system or a lever of incitement to crime. A concluding discussion will expose the trend and some recommendations for supporting eventual implementation with the least criminogenic effect.

A Look at the New Developments in the European Union's Regulation on Crypto-Assets and Anti-Money Laundering

Michele Nastri — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The article examines the recent developments in the European Union's regulation concerning crypto-assets. This regulation is evolving in a fragmented manner and by sectors, particularly focusing on markets and the financial sector in general, and does not have a defined perspective for a comprehensive regulation of the sector. It is a regulation that aims to introduce elements of public control over the actors in the system to regulate the markets and also in anticipation of future new instruments consisting of crypto-assets, introducing elements of public control entrusted to national authorities (notably Regulation 2023/1114 and 2022/858). Meanwhile, in order to enhance the fight against money laundering, elements of control and verification on intermediaries have been introduced as part of the AML Package (particularly with Regulation 2023/1113), imposing obligations on them and implementing control tools over end users, their identities, and their operations. National legal systems are gradually receiving these regulations and harmonizing with European Union law.

Cryptocurrencies are here to Stay! Think you aren’t Vulnerable, Think Again

Levon Ellen Blue — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Cryptocurrencies are here to stay and represent a market capitalisation of approximately $3.57T. It has been reported that over 500 million people globally own cryptocurrencies. In this paper, I discuss the vulnerabilities identified with cryptocurrency ownership including who is vulnerable and then explore the role education plays. The study described involved 745 cryptocurrency owners (including 140 non-fungible token (NFT) owners) from Australia and explores the ways in which vulnerabilities play out for various demographics. The above-mentioned research revealed that almost everyone is vulnerable when it comes to cryptocurrency and/or NFT ownership and challenges who has previously been identified as experiencing financial vulnerabilities. Demographic characteristics associated with financial vulnerabilities often includes individuals with lower education levels who are living on low incomes, who identify as female and/or Indigenous and/or for whom English is a second language. It is often assumed that anyone else who does not meet the above-mentioned characteristics are assumed to be financially capable. However, with cryptocurrency ownership almost everyone is vulnerable. Education has a role to play to help combat the risks associated with cryptocurrency and/or NFT ownership. We need educators willing to teach about cryptocurrencies and NFT ownership, storage and tax implications.