The proliferation of cyber systems and commercialization of strong new artificial intelligence (AI) technologies that have occurred in the last decade seem to offer many advantages, but they also carry a high risk that several Small/Medium and Minority-Owned/led organizations have not been prepared for. These dangers go beyond local and national boundaries and have rekindled calls for more robust global debates on how to protect the vulnerable, especially small/medium minority-owned/led institutions and organizations (Roberts et al., 2024). Cyber insecurity and AI are the new social justice concerns of our time (IMF, 2024). Cybersecurity Fast Facts by Forbes (2024) further shows that 2023 saw a 72% increase in data breaches since 2021, which held the previous record. They argue that a data breach costs $4.45 million on average with ninety-four percent of organizations having reported cyber-related security incidents.
The Brandeis Global Cyber Security Conference for Small/Medium Minority-owned/led Institutions: Businesses, Startups, Nonprofits, Philanthropies, and Charities invite authors to submit research papers, concept notes, case studies, and stories/experiences on the different thematic sections of the conference as outlined on the conference program. Submissions are welcome from academics, policymakers, practitioners, activists, technicians, businesses, charities etc. We are open to receiving submissions on any of the topics outlined in the conference program, and beyond. We are particularly interested in papers addressing the following suggested themes/topics but submissions beyond the scope of these themes are also welcome:
- Protecting Vulnerable Small/medium Minority Own/Led Institutions and Cyber Insecurity
- Cyber (In)security: A Critical Agenda for Social Justice and Inclusivity
- Identity and Gender-based Cyber Targeting and Vulnerability
- Cyber Threat Landscape and Resilience to Cyber Attacks for Livelihood Security within Small/Medium Minority-Own/led Institutions
- How emerging Cybersecurity Tools and AI Can Revolutionize the Application of Digital Systems within Small/Medium Minority-Own/led Institutions
- Partnerships and Capital Mobilization for Cyber Security Resilience and AI advancement for Small/Medium Minority-Own/led Institutions
- Boosting and Tailoring Individuals/Organizational Level Cyber Security Needs: Strategies and Resources for Resilience and Growth within Small/Medium Minority-Own/led Institutions
- Cybersecurity and AI systems for Innovation and Entrepreneurship within Small/Medium Minority-Own/led Institutions
- Cyber Security Policy Governance and Planning for Small/Medium Minority-Own/led Institutions
- Implementation and Evaluation of Cyber Security Protocols to Protect the Vulnerable and Small/Medium Minority-Own/led Institutions
- Personal narratives and case studies.
- Other topics related to the conference theme.
The Call for Papers will follow this calendar:
The deadline for the submission of abstracts/concepts/case studies/experiences is January 7, 2025. It is best to submit abstracts at your earliest convenience to avoid being waitlisted.
Response to authors of selected abstracts: This will be on a rolling basis and within a week of receipt of the abstract. Deadline for the submission of PowerPoint/paper presentations by authors of selected abstracts: March 1, 2025.
Panels: Panels are 90 minutes in length and would consist of three 20-minute papers or occasionally four 15-minute papers on a related topic and allow 30 minutes for questions/discussions/answers.
Authors of abstracts/concept notes should use the submission form below: