February 2026
On the necessity of carrying out the reform of the security sector in Bulgaria in the context of adaptation to the era of the fight against climate change
2026, vol.18 , no.1, pp. 115-126
Article [2026-01-11]
The fight against climate change necessitates the reform of the security sector owing to the increasing risks faced by the population and regions within the country as a consequence of climate change and the rapid occurrence of disasters, accidents, and catastrophes. Within the scope of climate change, a transformation of the security system is required, which includes enhancing the existing security framework through the clear articulation of strategic interests pertinent to the reform of the security sector in this context. The objective of this article is to delineate the necessity for reforms within the security sector in response to the challenges posed by climate change and the natural disasters resulting therefrom, which threaten the lives and health of the nation's population.
Metodi Ivanov, Kliment Naydenov, Antonina Atanasova. On the necessity of carrying out the reform of the security sector in Bulgaria in the context of adaptation to the era of the fight against climate change. International Journal on Information Technologies and Security, vol.18 , no.1, 2026, pp. 115-126.
Integrated forensics data collection and analysis model for databases using design science method
2026, vol.18 , no.1, pp. 105-114
Article [2026-01-10]
Given the availability of database evidence, it is essential to implement effective forensic processes to maintain data integrity. Consequently, collecting and preserving digital evidence from the victim's database is crucial for analysis and presentation. This evidence must be gathered and examined in a forensically sound manner, using appropriate methodologies and tools. Although various collection and analysis models have been proposed based on existing literature, many are tailored to specific scenarios and database types. As a result, there is no universal, standardized model that is free from tailored approaches, but rather one that is suited for future database investigations. Thus, this paper introduces the Integrated Forensics Data Collection and Analysis Model for Databases (IFDCAMD), a unified framework designed to address the lack of standardization and redundancy in existing database forensic investigation processes. The model integrates key phases, including acquisition, preservation, reconstruction, analysis, and documentation & reporting, into a structured, forensically sound methodology. It aims to streamline investigations and enhance the admissibility of digital evidence, with applicability to post-incident response scenarios. The model's effectiveness is demonstrated through real-world case studies involving both relational (MySQL) and NoSQL (MongoDB) databases.
Ahmad Alshammari. Integrated forensics data collection and analysis model for databases using design science method. International Journal on Information Technologies and Security, vol.18 , no.1, 2026, pp. 105-114.
Leveraging open-source LLMs for IoT honeypot simulation and enhancing vulnerability assessment and threat intelligence
2026, vol.18 , no.1, pp. 93-104
Article [2026-01-09]
This paper investigates the integration of open-source large language models (LLMs) for simulating vulnerable Internet of Things (IoT) environments, with the aim of enhancing cybersecurity posture through advanced threat modelling and automated response testing, while also comparing their effectiveness to cloud-based commercial models. We examine the potential of LLM-driven simulations to expose hidden vulnerabilities, evaluate incident response strategies, and support the development of more resilient IoT ecosystems. Particular emphasis is placed on the use of open-source LLMs, which offer distinct advantages in privacy-preserving threat analysis due to their ability to operate entirely on local infrastructure without transmitting sensitive data to external cloud services. As cyber threats targeting IoT devices continue to evolve in complexity and scale, this research highlights the practical applications of LLMs in proactive defence, threat intelligence generation, and vulnerability assessment.
Veneta Yosifova, George Yosifov. Leveraging open-source LLMs for IoT honeypot simulation and enhancing vulnerability assessment and threat intelligence. International Journal on Information Technologies and Security, vol.18 , no.1, 2026, pp. 93-104.
Catching Pokémon and in-game friends’ home addresses
2026, vol.18 , no.1, pp. 81-92
Article [2026-01-08]
While location-based games are widely popular, the interpersonal privacy risks players pose to one another remain under-researched. These risks can lead to harassment and stalking. This paper presents an experimental study investigating how the in-game gift mechanic in Pokémon GO can be exploited to reveal players' sensitive locations. We employed a mixed-methods approach consisting of a 37-day "in-the-wild" play experiment (n=20), questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews. Our results demonstrate that in-game gift metadata allowed for the identification of over 60% of participants' home addresses within a 100-meter radius. These findings highlight critical privacy implications for location-based game design and the need for increased user awareness.
Jouni Ikonen, Antti Knutas, Laura Anna Ripamonti , Giovanni Livraga , Sonja Hyrynsalmi. Catching Pokémon and in-game friends’ home addresses. International Journal on Information Technologies and Security, vol.18 , no.1, 2026, pp. 81-92.
An enhanced framework for integrated centralized building permitting systems
2026, vol.18 , no.1, pp. 69-80
Article [2026-01-07]
Building Permit Systems (BPS) play a crucial role in delivering urban planning and land-use regulation. Land management, fragmented workflows, and poor data integration challenge effectiveness in rapidly developing countries like Saudi Arabia. To overcome traditional municipal BPS into a centralized, data-driven framework. Jeddah Municipality as a case study based on prior technology experience and research, following a hybrid method to meet study objectives. Interviews with municipal officials and surveys sent to 190 Authorized Engineering Offices (AEOs), a computation of the Relative Importance Index (RII) of 12 identified key factors, categorized into four dimensions of Process, Organization, Technology, and Information. The Framework of Building Permitting Systems (FBPS) demonstrates effective integration among municipalities by leveraging GIS and land-use regulations to enhance local governance, support overarching national objectives, and advance applications.
Obaid Aljobaly, Waleed Abdulaal, Mohamed Maatouk. An enhanced framework for integrated centralized building permitting systems. International Journal on Information Technologies and Security, vol.18 , no.1, 2026, pp. 69-80.
Modelling and H∞ control synthesis of serial DC-AC converter
2026, vol.18 , no.1, pp. 57-68
Article [2026-01-06]
This paper presents a robust control design methodology for a serial DC–AC converter based on 𝐻∞ synthesis and a MATLAB/Simulink modelling framework. A mathematical model of the converter is derived and linearized around a selected operating point to obtain a plant representation suitable for robust controller synthesis. Performance objectives related to output regulation, disturbance rejection, and control effort are formulated using appropriate weighting functions. An 𝐻∞ controller is then synthesized and evaluated under parameter variations and load disturbances. The results demonstrate improved robustness and dynamic performance compared to conventional linear control approaches, confirming the suitability of 𝐻∞-based design for power electronic converters operating under uncertainty.
Bogdan Gilev, Nikolay Hinov, Yuri Dimitrov. Modelling and H∞ control synthesis of serial DC-AC converter. International Journal on Information Technologies and Security, vol.18 , no.1, 2026, pp. 57-68.
TriNet-HAR: A trimodal framework for human activity recognition
2026, vol.18 , no.1, pp. 45-56
Article [2026-01-05]
Human Activity Recognition (HAR) is vital in healthcare, security, and human-computer interaction. Traditional unimodal or bimodal approaches often fail to capture the full complexity of human actions. To overcome this, TriNet-HAR, a novel trimodal deep learning framework is proposed that integrates depth maps, 3D skeletal joints, and inertial signals via a unified, explainable architecture. Each modality is processed using a dedicated module: Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for depth, joint-wise attention layers mimicking Graph-Convolution-Network (GCN) for skeletons, and positional encoding-enhanced Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) for Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) data. A multi-head self-attention and cross-attention fusion strategy refines inter-modality dependencies. SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) and Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping (Grad-CAM) are employed for interpretability. Evaluated on the University of Texas at Dallas Multimodal Human Action Dataset (UTD-MHAD) dataset, TriNet-HAR achieves 98% accuracy, outperforming unimodal and bimodal baselines in precision, recall, and F1-score, demonstrating superior robustness, adaptability, and transparency.
Basamma Umesh Patil, Chetan R, D V Ashoka, Ashok V Sutagundar, Nagamani H Shahapure. TriNet-HAR: A trimodal framework for human activity recognition. International Journal on Information Technologies and Security, vol.18 , no.1, 2026, pp. 45-56.
Power allocation design using game theory for fast-fading non-orthogonal medium access network
2026, vol.18 , no.1, pp. 33-44
Article [2026-01-04]
This work addresses critical challenge of efficient Power Allocation (PA) in Multi-Carrier Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (MC-NOMA) systems for 5G/6G wireless networks under dynamic channel conditions. A novel Game Theory-based Aware Power Allocation Optimization (GTA-PAO) model is proposed to optimize the sum-rate while reducing energy consumption. The methodology integrates mobility effects, imperfect Channel State Information (CSI), and Peak-to-Average Power Ratio (PAPR) reduction to ensure robustness in fast-fading environments. Simulation results in highway and expressway scenarios demonstrate significant performance gains, including notable reductions in Bit Error Rate (BER) and PAPR alongside considerable improvements in sum-rate. The findings confirm that the GTA-PAO framework enhances adaptability and efficiency, making it a strong candidate for practical deployment in next-generation wireless communication systems.
Vishalakshi, Gangadhar Shivsharanappa Biradar. Power allocation design using game theory for fast-fading non-orthogonal medium access network. International Journal on Information Technologies and Security, vol.18 , no.1, 2026, pp. 33-44.
Wave phenomena in communication lines and their role in critical infrastructure security
2026, vol.18 , no.1, pp. 21-32
Article [2026-01-03]
In this study, wave processes in multiconductor coupled transmission lines and their impact on the security of critical energy infrastructures are investigated. High-frequency electromagnetic disturbances can cause overvoltage, signal distortions, and malfunctions in control systems, which necessitates an accurate physical description of wave phenomena in such lines. Traditional modal approaches complicate practical analysis, as they do not directly represent the waves that physically exist in the conductors. The paper proposes a physically substantiated approach to the description of wave processes without the use of modal transformations. The concept of an equivalent wave impedance is introduced, defined in terms of the voltage and current of a physically existing wave; this parameter has a clear physical meaning and can be measured experimentally. It is shown that this impedance depends on electrical operating regimes and excitation conditions, which opens up the possibility of influencing wave processes without changing the geometry of the lines. The obtained results can be applied to the analysis of transient processes and to enhancing the electromagnetic resilience of communication channels and power systems within critical infrastructures.
Dmitry Maevsky, Andriy Boiko, Oleksandr Besarab, Elena Maevskaya, Viacheslav Lavrynenko, Vitalii Kvitchuk. Wave phenomena in communication lines and their role in critical infrastructure security. International Journal on Information Technologies and Security, vol.18 , no.1, 2026, pp. 21-32.
Algorithms for achieving mutual information coordination
2026, vol.18 , no.1, pp. 13-20
Article [2026-01-02]
The article discussed an algorithm for achieving mutual information coordination for a system with distributed ledger technology based on a blockchain. The goal is to develop a generalized approach to formalizing the operation of the distributed ledger technology blockchain system in the course of achieving mutual coordination, including taking into account the possibilities of implementing abnormal functions by the distributed ledger technology blockchain node of the system and grouping nodes. The rules of block chain formation in algorithms for achieving mutual information coordination are proposed. The process of achieving mutual information coordination is described. A mathematical model of the process of achieving mutual information coordination between the nodes of the distributed ledger technology blockchain system is proposed, which differs in the representation of the system by a team of finite automata with the possibility of creating associations (pools) and providing an assessment of the centralization of the system in the conditions of choosing different variants of behaviour strategy by automata.
O. Ja. Kravets, B. V. Martynenkov, A. V. Tcvetkov, E. O. Puzhanova, D. I. Mutin, P. V. Bespalov, Yu. V. Redkin. Algorithms for achieving mutual information coordination. International Journal on Information Technologies and Security, vol.18 , no.1, 2026, pp. 13-20.