João Marco

Abstract
Current network management systems urge for a context-aware perspective of the provided network services and the underlying infrastructure usage. This need results from the heterogeneity of services and technologies in place, and from the massive traffic volumes traversing today’s networks. To reduce complexity and improve interoperability, monitoring systems need to be flexible, context-aware, and able to self-configure measurement points (MPs) according to network monitoring tasks requirements. In addition, the use of sampling techniques in MPs to reduce the amount of traffic collected, analysed and stored has become mandatory and, currently, distinct sampling schemes are available for use in operational environments. In this context, the main objective of this paper is the ontological definition of measurement requirements and components in sampling-based monitoring environments, with the aim of supporting an expert recommendation system able to understand context and identify the appropriate configuration rules to apply to a selection of MPs. In this way, the ontology, defining management needs, network measurement topology and sampling techniques, is described and explored considering several network management activities. A use case focusing on traffic accounting as monitoring task is also provided, demonstrating the expressiveness of the ontology and the role of the recommendation system in assisting context-aware network monitoring based on traffic sampling. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019.

Abstract
Providing public services through the internet is an effective approach towards an encompassing number of citizens being covered by them and for cost reduction. However, the fast development of this area has fostered discussion and legislation regarding information security and trustworthiness. In addition to security mechanisms for data processed and stored internally, service providers must ensure that data exchanged between their servers and citizens are not intercepted or modified when traversing heterogeneous and uncontrolled networks. Moreover, such institutions should provide means enabling the citizen to verify the authenticity of the services offered. In this way, the present work provides a comprehensive overview regarding the security posture of Portuguese public institutions in their online services. It consists of non-invasive robustness evaluation of the deployed solutions for end-to-end data encryption and the correct use of digital certificates. As a result, we provide some recommendations aiming to enhance the current panorama in the majority of the 111 online services considered in this study. © 2019 Association for Computing Machinery.

Abstract
In this work we investigate which aspects of data protection regulation must be carefully observed when implementing Blockchain-based projects in smart cities. This technology provides interesting properties and allows governments to develop flexible and innovative data management systems. Nevertheless, realizing the benefits of using Blockchains requires understanding the government processes along with the legal framework and political setting imposed on government. Though it is a buzzword, Blockchain may not always be the best solution for data processing, and carrying out a Data Protection Impact Assessment could allow an analysis of the necessity and proportionality of the mechanism. Furthermore, principles relating to security of data remain applicable to Blockchains. We discuss points of interaction between Blockchain technology and the European Union data protection framework, and provide recommendations on how to better develop Blockchain-based projects in smart cities. The findings of the study should provide public sector actors with a guideline to assess the real necessity and better format of a Blockchain-based application. © 2019 Copyright is held by the owner/author(s). Publication rights licensed to ACM.

Abstract
Currently deployed in a wide variety of applicational scenarios, wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are typically a resource-constrained infrastructure. Consequently, characteristics such as WSN adaptability, low-overhead, and low-energy consumption are particularly relevant in dynamic and autonomous sensing environments where the measuring requirements change and human intervention is not viable. To tackle this issue, this article proposes e-LiteSense as an adaptive, energy-aware sensing solution for WSNs, capable of auto-regulate how data are sensed, adjusting it to each applicational scenario. The proposed adaptive scheme is able to maintain the sensing accuracy of the physical phenomena, while reducing the overall process overhead. In this way, the adaptive algorithm relies on low-complexity rules to establish the sensing frequency weighting the recent drifts of the physical parameter and the levels of remaining energy in the sensor. Using datasets from WSN operational scenarios, we prove e-LiteSense effectiveness in self-regulating data sensing accurately through a low-overhead process where the WSN energy levels are preserved. This constitutes a step-forward for implementing self-adaptive energy-aware data sensing in dynamic WSN environments. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Abstract
Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) have been successfully used in order to promote and pursue the goals of UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Meeting these goals, however, require significant efforts on public policy development, adequate planning and implementation, as well as qualified human resources working at every level of government, public administration and institutions. This paper presents a first quantitative analysis originated from Electronic Government-related training sessions that took place on all five Portuguese Speaking African Countries, and in Timor-Leste along 2017. The results focus on (i) the availability of higher education institutions offering courses related to EGOV on each of those countries; (ii) the qualification of the professionals attending those sessions; and (iii) how availability of local higher education courses translates into qualifications of local professionals serving at public administration level. This paper also discusses some perceptions gathered from the field, both from participants and lecturer teams, framing additional challenges that EGOV-related courses must take into account in those particular settings. It concludes by pointing out some of the works already taking place, which provides a deeper understanding of the workforce competencies in EGOV for each of those countries. © 2018 Copyright is held by the owner/author(s). Publication rights licensed to ACM.