A review and future research directions of secure and trustworthy mobile agent‐based e‐marketplace systems

Abstract

Purpose

There is a need to provide secure and safe information security systems through the use of firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, encryption, authentication, and other hardware and software solutions. The purpose of this paper is therefore to propose a framework which includes safe, secure, trusted, and auditable services, as well as forensic mechanisms to provide audit trails for digital evidence of transactions and protection against malicious and illegal activities.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the literature as the foundation and knowledge base for the proposed framework and system of secure and trustworthy mobile agent (MA)‐based e‐marketplaces. It consists of the current state of the art taxonomy for the classified MA‐based frameworks for e‐marketplace trading, underlying supporting systems, e‐payment systems, and the essential issues related to auditable and digital forensic services.

Findings

The current knowledge shows that there is a serious lack of auditable and digital forensic services to make secure and trustworthy MA‐based e‐marketplaces systems. The paper draws conclusions and highlights further research work which is ongoing and new work that needs to be performed.

Originality/value

The paper perceives the needs to define the requirements for secure and trustworthy MA‐based e‐marketplaces and proposes a framework to design effective systems using the latest techniques and technologies.

Citation

Patel, A., Qi, W. and Wills, C. (2010), "A review and future research directions of secure and trustworthy mobile agent‐based e‐marketplace systems", Information Management & Computer Security, Vol. 18 No. 3, pp. 144-161. https://doi.org/10.1108/09685221011064681