Special Interest Groups Overview
What is a SIG?
A Special Interest Group (SIG) is created to address a specific and open challenge in cyber security which requires collaboration within the community. The SIG will be focused on gaining insight, assessing possible responses (technical or otherwise) and delivering strategies which will enable the community to gain real traction in addressing the challenge. In most cases SIGs will provide an environment in which the KTN community can validate ideas, reach consensus in approach and debate conflicting views; this will typically be a necessary precursor to any highly focused WG activity on the topic. A SIG will have a clear objective and will be time-limited. It is expected that some SIGs will generate requirements for specific activities appropriate for Working Groups. SIGs will not undertake technical research and development; however, where appropriate they will output requirements for such activities to the Network Security Innovation Platform and other research funding bodies.
Support
The KTN will provide support for the logistics associated with running a SIG (meetings, refreshments, technical and administrative support) however members' participation in a SIG is not funded by the KTN.
Who
SIG membership is open to all members of the KTN. Every SIG will possess a Chair who is responsible for delivery of the SIGs stated outputs. The SIG Chair may specify the types of expertise he/she feels are needed in order to deliver the outputs and will possess editorial control over the SIG outputs. The SIG Chair will be appointed by the KTN Director based on advice from the Steering Committee (SC). The SIG Chair will act impartially with the aim of producing the best possible output from the SIG process.
How
SIGs may start in a number of ways: by recommendation from the steering committee; in response to a need highlighted by related work; via request from a group of members; as a service to an existing security group. They will be announced on the KTN web portal along with joining details.
SIGs may conduct their work via a variety of mechanisms including: on-line discussions, webinars, email, meetings and workshops. Each SIG will possess its own members' area within the KTN web portal. The SIG Chair will determine the work-plan for the group including the types of activity to be undertaken. All SIG members will have the opportunity to submit contributions via the KTN portal to the SIG Chair.
When
New SIGs may be created at any time.
SIG Process
The process for operation of SIGs is as follows:
- Identify need and Chair (responsibility of Director under guidance of Steering Committee)
- Produce SIG Plan (responsibility of Chair with support from Director)
- Chair, Director and Project Manager agree SIG Plan
- Identify target members where appropriate (responsibility of Chair with support from Director)
- Recruit members (responsibility Membership Services Manager with support from Chair and Director)
- Implement Plan (responsibility of Chair)
- Produce draft output / scope of final report / white paper (responsibility of Chair)
- Distribute for review by SIG membership - seek feedback (responsibility of Membership Services Manager)
- Final version of report produced (responsibility of Chair)
SIG Plan
Each SIG will require a plan which documents the following. Information on the challenge, output and approach will be published on the KTN web portal along with details of the SIG Chair.
- The Challenge: What it is that the SIG is seeking to achieve?
- Output: The ultimate output from the SIG and when it will be delivered. This should also identify key stakeholders for the output to facilitate plans for dissemination and knowledge transfer of the results. Stakeholder information need not be detailed at the point of SIG creation.
- Scope and Approach The scope of the area of interest to the SIG and the work-plan put in place in order to deliver the output. This must include a strategy for engaging with SIG members, such as meetings, workshops or on-line discussions. This must include key dates and deadlines for members' participation. Should there be specific expertise required for the group this should also be specified here. The work-plan can change!
- KTN Management Team Support The Management Team can provide a variety of support functions including: organizing meetings (rooms, refreshments), recruiting SIG members, administrative and report writing support. The plan should identify any requirements for this support.
Guidance for SIG Chairs
- You must act impartially at all times and in the interests of the SIG and KTN.
- SIGs are open to all KTN members and as Chair you will be expected to take into consideration any views aired within the group.
- As Chair you will retain editorial control of all outputs, however, this must be conducted with due regard to points 1 and 2 above.
- All SIGs will require a SIG Plan which documents what, how and when. The SIG Plan will need to be agreed with the KTN project Manager (Ralph James). The KTN Director is tasked with supporting SIG Chairs in the production of the plan.
- You must inform the KTN Project Manager and the Director of any changes to the SIG Plan in a timely manner.
- You will be provided with a support administrator from the KTN Management Team who can help you with: managing membership mailing list, contacting members and distributing material, organizing logistics associated with group meetings, organizing the production and distribution of group material and outputs.
- You will be provided with a secretary to take minutes at any groups meetings.
- The KTN Management Team exists to support the progress of the KTN and this includes SIGs. We want to help you in reaching a successful outcome so please use us and tell us how we can support you better!
