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RAND was at the forefront of early computing and data science. In the 1950s, we built computers to improve researchers' analytic and modeling capabilities. We also developed data communications technologies that were forerunners of the internet. Today, RAND experts recommend policies and best practices to support safe and secure technological innovation and adoption.

Report

Preparing for Cybersecurity Threats to the 2020 Olympics

Oct 4, 2018

The Olympic Games are an attractive target for hackers. An examination of Japan's cybersecurity threat landscape and lessons from past events can help planners reduce cybersecurity risks in advance of the 2020 Tokyo Games.
Commentary

Data Breaches Could Cause Users to Opt Out of Sharing Personal Data. Then What?

Dec 28, 2018

As tech-based systems have become all but indispensable, many institutions might assume user data will be reliable, meaningful and, most of all, plentiful. But what if this data became unreliable, meaningless, or even scarce?

Topics in Focus:

Explore Cyber and Data Sciences

Report

Teachers' Access to and Use of Student Data Varies

Using student data to inform instruction is considered sound educational practice. Many teachers have access to grades, attendance records, and standardized test scores, but they don't all have the skills needed to interpret and use the data. Providing educators with more support could increase their use of student data.

Feb 14, 2019
Commentary

Developing an Objective, Repeatable Scoring System for a Vulnerability Equities Process

If governments seek to create an objective framework for decision making about whether or when to disclose software vulnerabilities, what might that look like? What questions should be included, how should they influence the outcome and how can one interpret the results?

Feb 5, 2019
Commentary

America's National Defense Strategy and the Paradox of Technology

The need for the military to make greater investments in technology is difficult if not impossible to separate from the risks posed by an increasing military reliance on this technology. Striking a balance between the two won't be easy.

Feb 4, 2019
Report

Artificial Intelligence Applications to Support Teachers

Artificial intelligence could support teachers rather than replace them. But before the promise of AI in the classroom can be realized, risks and technical challenges must be addressed.

Jan 23, 2019
Multimedia

How to Achieve Accountability in Cyberspace

Identifying the responsible party behind malicious cyber incidents is necessary for holding bad actors accountable. But there are many challenges that accompany cyber attribution. Creating an independent, global organization that investigates and publicly assigns blame for major hacks could help.

Jan 14, 2019
Commentary

Does the United States Face an AI Ethics Gap?

Instead of worrying about an artificial intelligence “ethics gap,” U.S. policymakers and the military community could embrace a leadership role in AI ethics. This may help ensure that the AI arms race doesn't become a race to the bottom.

Jan 11, 2019
Periodical

Periodical

RAND Review: January-February 2019

This issue spotlights (1) research on how faith-based organizations promote health and well-being in underserved communities and (2) the Pardee RAND Graduate School's new approach to policy and training the next generation of policy experts.

Jan 7, 2019
Report

Report

Advancing Autonomous Systems: An Analysis of Current and Future Technology for Unmanned Maritime Vehicles

In this report, RAND researchers explore current and potential military applications of autonomous systems, focusing especially on unmanned undersea vehicles and unmanned surface vehicles.

Jan 4, 2019
Report

Using Video Analytics and Sensor Fusion in Law Enforcement: Building a Research Agenda That Includes Business Cases, Privacy and Civil Rights Protections, and Needs for Innovation

Video technology is changing the ways that law enforcement works and interacts with the public. In this report, the authors explore some of the challenges posed and innovation needs in this emerging area.

Dec 28, 2018
Journal Article

Journal Article

Economics of Vulnerability Disclosure

This study serves as a follow up to the 2015 ENISA Good Practice Guide on Vulnerability Disclosure and seeks to provide a glimpse into the economics, costs, and incentives related to discovering and disclosing vulnerabilities.

Dec 14, 2018
Commentary

ISIS's Social Media Use Poses a Threat to Stability in the Middle East and Africa

The importance of social media in projecting violent extremist propaganda and recruiting foreign fighters is well documented. As ISIS attempts to regroup and recuperate, investigating its use of information and communication technologies could be important to understanding the group's plans to regain territorial control.

Dec 11, 2018
Report

Assessing Online Campaigns Countering Violent Extremism

Efforts to counter violent extremism online have grown, but measuring their impact is complicated. An assessment of one such campaign finds that individuals searching for violent jihadist or far-right content clicked on ads that offered alternative narratives at a rate on par with industry standards.

Dec 10, 2018
Commentary

When Cyber Attacks Occur, Who Should Investigate?

Data breaches and cyberattacks cross geopolitical boundaries, targeting individuals, corporations and governments. Creating a global body with a narrow focus on investigating and assigning responsibility for cyberattacks could be the first step to creating a digital world with accountability.

Dec 6, 2018
News Release

News Release

RAND Report Evaluates Possible Economic Benefits of Using 5.9 GHz Band for WiFi

Opening up the 5.9 GHz frequency band for WiFi use could result in significant economic benefits, both in terms of contribution to GDP and in economic surplus.

Nov 29, 2018
Report

Report

Environmental Biodetection and Human Biosurveillance Research and Development for National Security: Priorities for the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate

This report examines the Department of Homeland Security's chemical and biological defense research and development portfolio to identify priorities for future investments to effectively address biological threats.

Nov 28, 2018
Report

Opening Up the 5.9 GHz Frequency Band for WiFi Use Could Result in Significant Economic Benefits

Wireless communications play an important role in generating economic prosperity and opportunity, yet there are few empirically driven estimates on how WiFi contributes to the economy. RAND researchers filled this gap by estimating the potential economic value of the 5.9 GHz frequency band.

Nov 28, 2018
Journal Article

Journal Article

Regulating Risks Within Complex Sociotechnical Systems: Evidence From Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity Standards

One of the first empirical studies of the effects of mandatory cybersecurity regulations for critical infrastructure.

Nov 27, 2018
Journal Article

Journal Article

Social Media in Africa: A Double-Edged Sword for Security and Development: Research Report

The United Nations Development Programme commissioned RAND Europe to explore social media use and its links to online radicalisation in Africa. The study analysed the social media use of three Islamist terrorist groups across seven countries.

Nov 5, 2018
Journal Article

Journal Article

Social Media in Africa: A Double-Edged Sword for Security and Development: Executive Summary

The United Nations Development Programme commissioned RAND Europe to explore social media use and its links to online radicalisation in Africa. The study analysed the social media use of three Islamist terrorist groups across seven countries.

Nov 5, 2018

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RAND Topic:
Cyber and Data Sciences

Topic Synonyms:
Computer and Information Science and Technology;
Computer Science;
Computer Technology;
Computing;
Informatics;
Information Science;
Information Technology;
IS;
IST;
IT

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