Blockchain for Cybersecurity and Cyber-Risk Management

Dear Colleagues,

The primary aim of this Special Issue is to elevate the discourse surrounding cybersecurity by inspiring scientists to share their groundbreaking research and practical insights. Covering a wide array of topics, including blockchain, machine learning in security, artificial intelligence security, big data security and privacy, cloud security, and quantum security, it beckons academia, developers, policymakers, and cybersecurity analysts to contribute to the ongoing dialogue. By fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing, Risk Assessment and Countermeasures for Cybersecurity empowers readers not only to understand the nuances of modern cyber threats but also to actively participate in shaping the future of cybersecurity.

The interrelated topics of this Special Issue

Topic 1: Risk Assessment and Mitigation Strategies 

This topic will cover the principles, methods, and best practices involved in effective risk assessment and mitigation strategies. This chapter will focus on the cyber-risk management process and on how to employ various methods and tools to uncover cyber-risks across financial, operational, strategic, and compliance domains. In addition, the chapter will present the main proposed methods for identifying potential risks, analyzing and evaluating them to understand their likelihood and potential impact.  This involves assessing the probability of occurrence and the magnitude of consequences associated with each risk. 

Topic 2: Machine Intelligence Applications in Cyber-Risk Management 

Topic 2 explores the intersection of machine intelligence and cyber-risk management, highlighting the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies in safeguarding against cyber threats. This chapter delves into various applications of machine intelligence in identifying, analyzing, and mitigating cyber risks, addressing the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats faced by organizations globally. The core of the chapter focuses on exploring diverse applications of machine intelligence in cyber-risk management. This includes the use of AI and ML algorithms for real-time threat detection, anomaly detection, predictive analytics, and behavioral analysis. Additionally, machine intelligence technologies enable automated incident response, threat intelligence gathering, and adaptive security measures, empowering organizations to stay ahead of emerging cyber threats. 

Topic 3: Advanced Techniques for Network Security and Data Protection 

Topic 3 focuses on advanced techniques for enhancing network security and protecting sensitive data. This chapter explores innovative approaches and cutting-edge technologies designed to mitigate cybersecurity risks and safeguard organizational assets from evolving threats. The chapter emphasizes the critical importance of robust network security and data protection measures in safeguarding against cyber threats. It highlights the growing sophistication of cyberattacks and the need for organizations to adopt proactive strategies to defend their networks and sensitive data against unauthorized access, theft, and manipulation. The chapter discusses future directions in network security, such as the adoption of artificial intelligence, quantum-resistant encryption, and the proliferation of secure-by-design principles in network infrastructure development.

Topic 4: Blockchain for cyber-risk management 

Topic 4 discusses the innovative application of blockchain technology to cyber-risk management. This chapter explores how blockchain, originally developed as the underlying technology for cryptocurrencies, is being leveraged to address cybersecurity challenges, enhance data integrity, and strengthen risk management practices across industries. The chapter also addresses the challenges and considerations associated with implementing blockchain for cyber-risk management. These may include scalability limitations, interoperability issues, regulatory compliance, governance frameworks, and the need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect blockchain networks from cyber-attacks and vulnerabilities.

Dr. Mohamed Chahine Ghanem
Dr. Rejwan Bin Sulaiman
Dr. Mohammed Almaayah
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Cybersecurity and Privacy is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.