Windows of exposure: towards an anthropology of computer (in)security and its controversies
This project aims to account for the socio-cultural dynamics, ethical dimensions and (in)securitziation processes embedded in three interconnected issues in the international field of computer security:
Computer vulnerability disclosures can take various forms. They are complex social processes composed of several steps and are highly sensitive in nature. They can lead …
Researching operational forums will lead us to understand how a vulnerability is described, assigned as a risk factor and publicized by entities such as Computer …
Enquiries related to advocacy initiatives will reveal another “afterlife” ofvulnerabilities analyzing how computer (in)security is mobilized, translated and embedded into ethical and political claims and …
Computer vulnerabilities disclosures are complex social processes composed of several steps and are highly sensitive in nature. The analysis of such processes aims to identify the main socio-cultural and technical constructions of computer (in)securities. These vulnerabilities create crises and controversies beyond the computer security arena and we aim to trace these developments by analyzing how vulnerabilities are “translated” into two different forums: when they are handled by computer experts involved in operational security and when they are embedded in advocacy initiatives by concerned groups or organizations. These research sections analyze the complex trajectories of computer security issues sprawling amongst experts, professionals and civic circles.
Based at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, this project is led by Prof. David Bozzini.
