Development of Security Stamp for Desktop Spatial Data Modification in Unrestricted Access Platform

Abstract

One of the challenges of the Desktop Spatial Data Security is when computing with tools developed with unsecured software. Modifications are often required especially in geographical databases, because of the continuous changes that take place in soil, slope, land cover and parcel boundaries. Therefore data security measures need to incorporate in mechanisms that enable the users to recognise the authenticity of the modified data. In the present work a new concept for data security is incorporated to validate the modification to a land use planning tool developed with the use of off-the-shelf GIS software. This concept incorporates a two-dimension security stamp using both the spatial attributes and nonspatial attributes of the geographic dataset, which in a unique encrypted identity for the corresponding user or user group. The security stamp developed using this concept was incorporated to a Geographic Storm-water Management Tool and tested for its success. This success was evaluated based on the probability of error occurrence in the stamp value. The security stamp enables pinpointing the data modifications that had been carried out without authority, enabling the users to avoid using security-breached data. The proposed concept identifies the changes incorporated to spatial data whether they are unintentional or intentional, hence falls into the category of “Responsible Citizen” tools