European digital libraries: web security vulnerabilities
| Date | 07 September 2010 |
| Pages | 402-413 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/07378831011076657 |
| Published date | 07 September 2010 |
| Author | Joanne Kuzma |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
European digital libraries:
web security vulnerabilities
Joanne Kuzma
Worcester Business School, University of Worcester, Worcester, UK
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the web vulnerability challenges at European
library web sites and how these issues can affect the data protection of their patrons.
Design/methodol ogy/approach – A web vulnerability te sting tool was used to a nalyze
80 European library sites in four countries to determine how many security vulnerabilities each
had and what were the most common types of problems.
Findings – Analysis results from surveying the libraries show the majority have serious security
flaws in their web applications. The research shows that despite country-specific laws mandating
secure sites, system librarians have not implemented appropriate measures to secure their online
information systems.
Research limitations/implications – Further research on library vulnerability throughout the
world can be taken to educate librarians in other countries of the serious nature of protecting their
systems.
Practical implications – The findings serve to remind librarians of the complexity in providing a
secure online environment for their patrons and that a disregard or lack of awareness of securing
systems could lead to serious vulnerabilities of the patrons’ personal data and systems. Lack of
consumer trust may result in a decreased use of online commerce and have serious repercussions for
the municipal libraries. Several concrete examples of methods to improve security are provided.
Originality/value – The paper serves as a current paper on data security issues at Western
European municipal library web sites. It serves as a useful summary regarding technical and
managerial measures librarians can take to mitigate inadequacies in their security implementation.
Keywords Digital libraries,Europe, Data security, Consumerprotection
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
There has been a tremendous growth in the use of digital public libraries, and
consumers have benefited from the growth and ease of services, such as the ability to
conduct online browsing and research from the comfort of their homes. Patrons have
recently grown accustomed to the increase in digital library services and the ease at
which they can access global information that was once extremely difficult to retrieve
from traditional physical libraries. For example, although the use of e-books initially
got off to a slow start, their use has increased in libraries and will continue to grow due
to a broadening variety of access formats and available functions, such as full-text
searches (Gernand, 2006). Gernand also mentions that electronic journals and robust
research methods are becoming widely popular.
However, along with these advantages come concerns with the technology related to
online services. Data protection, consumer trust, and securing personal computers
(PCs) from malware have become issues with patrons and librarians. Fox (2006)
explains one problem with online commerce is that most users and librarians are not
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0737-8831.htm
LHT
28,3
402
Received 23 November 2009
Revised 3 February 2010
Accepted 6 February 2010
Library Hi Tech
Vol. 28 No. 3, 2010
pp. 402-413
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0737-8831
DOI 10.1108/07378831011076657
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