Estonian Academy of Security Sciences

Purpose The aim of this pilot study is to identify the cybersecurity knowledge and attitudes of alumni of the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences Financial College who are currently working in the Estonian Tax and Customs Board (hereinafter MTA) as public officials. The work deals with cybersecurity in the public sector, focusing on MTA employees who come into contact with sensitive data on a daily basis. Cybersecurity is an increasingly important topic in society and, more specifically, in government institutions. Design/methodology/approach The survey examines both general awareness of cybersecurity and awareness of various MTA procedures and rules and guidelines that should prevent and mitigate cyber risks in the organisation. Although it was a convenience sample used, the results of the study provide an initial opportunity to generalise the data obtained to all MTA employees. Findings The results showed that the main development needs concern training quality, understanding of internal mechanisms and adherence to risk management procedures. Improvements are required in managing access rights, providing clearer instructions and offering regular, practical training. As a result, employers will receive input and recommendations for very practical recommendations for improving MTA’s cybersecurity. Practical implications The study provides specific recommendations for the MTA, including updating training programmes with practical scenarios, strengthening information security competence among managers, involving front-line officials in security policy development and enhancing supervision and internal controls. The document underscores the critical role of the MTA as a manager of sensitive personal and tax data, implying that improved cybersecurity directly contributes to protecting citizens’ privacy and financial security and maintaining public trust in state institutions and e-services. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the cybersecurity and cyber hygiene knowledge of tax and customs officials has not been studied in academic research in Estonia. Researching the topic, it revealed that it has been little studied elsewhere in the world. The probable reason shows significant uncertainty in the information security management of tax and customs authorities.

With the advent of COVID-19, people spent more time at home. Countries, societies, companies and individuals suddenly became dependent on cyberspace overnight. Work, shopping and leisure meant we became more than ever weak to the risks of cyberspace. The human factor makes people the “key” to otherwise technically hardly penetrable systems – criminals play on people’s greed, emotions, happiness, etc.
 It is no surprise that Estonians are more active daily internet users compared to the rest of the Europeans. But what is being done in Estonia at the national level, as well as in cyber protection organisational level, to raise the awareness of residents about cyber security? What else should be done to reduce victims among ordinary citizens and how to protect various important public and private organisations from the consequences of the cyber-risky behaviour of their employees? What is the role of libraries in promoting cyber security awareness? A human error is a central target of cyber attacks, phishing scams, and data breaches. Cyber criminals are becoming more and more inventive. It is important to understand that cyber security risks can be managed and mitigated, but not completely eliminated. Increasing security awareness is the only factor that can help limit breaches caused by human frailty.

The article focuses on the ideological pillars of the ISIS or the so-called Islamic State and aims to explain the ideological core of the ISIS by examining the roots and pillars of this extreme terrorist Jihadists, Wahhabist and Salafist organization. The article seeks and explores the roots in Jihadism, radical form of Salafism and partially radical Arab nationalism, but it also looks partially at the “legacy” of Saddam Hussein’s regime (1979–2003) in Iraq (many former high ranked officers of Saddam’s military, BAATH party and also several intelligence officers were actively involved in ISIS) and the Arab post-colonial and post-cold war world.

The current paper deals with characterization of TiC−NiMo cermet powders produced by mechanical milling technology. TiC-based cermets scrap was processed by semi-industrial and laboratory disintegrator milling system. Chemical composition, shape and size of produced powders were analyzed. To estimate the properties of recycled cermet powders the sieving analysis, and angularity studies were conducted. The grindability was estimated using specific energy parameter (Es). Considering that viewpoint, the study is focused on angularity studies as the shape of spray powder has considerable influence on spraying efficiency, the quality and reliability of the coating. To describe the angularity of milled powders, spike parameter – quadratic fit (SPQ) was used and experiments for determination of SPQ sensitivity and precision to characterize particles angularity were performed. Uncertainty of measurements demonstrated trustworthiness of results. The standard deviation of SPQ regardless of milling cycles is the same. For use of produced powders as reinforcements in sprayed coatings the technological parameters of powders were studied. Perspective future use of powders as reinforcements in composite coatings as well as abrasives in tooling were demonstrated.

This paper presents a comparative study of the national risk assessment outcomes of two different countries of the European Union: Estonia, as a socalled ‘new member’ and the UK as an ‘old member’. The comparative survey was carried out on the basis of the National Summary of Emergency Risk Assessments of Estonia and the National Risk Register of Civil Emergencies of the UK. The features compared were requirements, methodologies, risk assessment process and performers, risk types and categories together with risk assessment outcomes as well as output documents’ composition. Simultaneously parallels were drawn with local level emergency risk assessments. Although the risk types were defined diversely in the two countries, an indirect comparison was still accomplishable. For instance, the risk of pandemic human disease was assessed as one of the highest in both countries. On the grounds of our observations, the National Risk Register of the UK was comparatively more, an advising, guiding and directing document while the Estonian emergency risk assessment summaries were in a greater part of a summarizing character.