Data Mining 2008

Ninth International Conference on Data Mining, Protection, Detection and Other Security Technologies

pcr2.jpg26 - 28 May 2008
Cadiz, Spain

 Overview

DataMining08.jpgThe 9th International Conference on Data Mining, Protection, Detection and other Securities Technologies was recently held at the University of Cádiz (UCA), Spain, organised by that Institution and the Wessex Institute of Technology (WIT), UK.  The Conference Co-Chairman and Co-Editors of the book were Professor David Almorza (UCA), Alessandro Zanasi of TEMIS International, Professor Miguel Angel Sordo of UCA and Professor Nelson Ebecken of the Post-graduate School of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (COPPE).

The Conference was opened by the Dean of the Human Resources Faculty of the University of Cádiz, Dr Francisca Fuentes, who welcomed the delegates to her Faculty and wished them a very successful conference.  It was followed by a welcoming address from Professor Miguel Angel Sordo, Head of the Department of Statistics of the University of Cádiz, who spoke of the work carried out at the University in the field of Informatics.  The Vice Rector, Prof David Almorza gave a presentation showing different views of Cádiz and the attractions in the City.

Professor Carlos Brebbia, Director of WIT, gave a short talk describing the work carried out at his Institute, with particular reference to the activities of the four research divisions, the training activities carried out by WIT; the publishing of books and journals and the Industrial Support provided by the associated company BEASY (Boundary Element Analysis System).  The emphasis of the Institute’s research, Carlos explained, has shifted from purely engineering analysis to the application of modelling techniques to a wide range of environmental and ecological problems.  This has led to the establishment of the Prigogine Medal in collaboration with the University of Siena, and Carlos mentioned that the 2005 award took place in Cádiz, supported by the University.  Last year the award took place at the University of Coimbra in Portugal, one of the oldest of Europe, and this year it will take place in the historic Evangelistria Monastery on the Island of Skiathos, the birth place of the Greek flag.

Carlos explained that WIT relies on its wide network of international contacts to establish new research projects, trying to evolve all the time to fulfil its role as an international knowledge transfer centre.

Carlos referred to the completion of the building work on the WIT Campus, resulting in first class work and accommodation facilities.  This will allow the further expansion of the Institute by allowing the accommodation of more research visitors and workers.  He ended by welcoming the discussion of new links.  He mentioned that WIT has formal agreements with approximately 40 other institutions all over the world.

 Keynote Address

data2.JPGThe keynote address of the Conference was given by Dr Alessandro Zanasi on the topic “Virtual Weapons for real wars: Text Mining for National Security”.  The lecture addressed some of the initiatives taking place around the world to strengthen security measures by internet research using text mining techniques.  A large number of initiatives are taking place in the European Union.  The enormous amount of data available in different languages requires classification.  Text mining provides the means to choose which information requires further investigation and, in the case of other languages, translation.  Similar research can be carried out in different databases.  This allows us to detect communications between different individuals which constitutes an invaluable weapon against terrorist organisation, industrial espionage, strategic business information among many other applications.  This type of work provides a unique tool for all forms of information research.

(Dr Zanasi is well known in the field of Text Mining.  He is the author of a very successful book, “Text Mining and its Applications to Intelligence, CRM and Knowledge Management”, WIT Press – see end of report for further information. )

 Conference Sessions

data1.JPGThe conference papers were divided into the following topics:
  • Advances in Data Mining
  • Security applications
  • Text mining
  • Business applications
  • Marketing analysis

 Invited Presentations

 

A series of keynote addresses, in addition to that of the Co-Chairman, Dr Alessandro Zanasi, helped to enhance the proceedings.  They were:
  • data3.JPG“Cluster analysis in document networks” by A.G. Evsukoff, COPPE, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • “Online Police Station, a cutting edge service against cybercrime”, by F Neri, Synthema, SRL, Italy
  • “Two novel term weighting for text categorisation”, by L A Matsunaga, COPPE, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • “Constructing social and economic indicators for EU countries using dynamic classification: case studies”, by I Yatskiv, Transport and Telcoms Institute, Latvia
  • “Benford’s law, data mining and financial fraud: a case study in New York State Medicaid Data”, by B. Little, Tarleton State University, USA
  • “Model of location for service station”, by NFF Ebecken, COPPE, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

 International Scientific Advisory Committee

The meeting of the International Scientific Advisory Committee of the Conference took place over dinner to discuss improvements to the conference.  It was felt that the new emphasis on Data Protection and Security issues is to have an effect in 2009 and that the conference ought to encourage papers on Data Intelligence in general.  The location of the 2010 meeting was also discussed as well as the time of the year that was convenient for most participants.

 Excursion and Conference Dinner

data4.JPGThe delegates were offered a guided tour by the University, under the direction of a UCA Professor.  They had occasion to appreciate the unique architecture of the city and learn more about its history.  Cádiz is the oldest continuously inhabited European city, having been founded by the Phonecians approximately 3 millennia ago.  They also had occasion to visit a Fine Art Gallery which displays some masterpieces of Spanish painting.

The Conference dinner took place in one of the most famous flamenco schools in Cádiz, where the delegates had a chance to hear some typical music and see some of the dancing for which Cádiz is famous.  They also tasted some local dishes and delicacies.  The standards were particularly high and the delegates had occasion to see some genuine flamenco.

 Publication of Papers

The proceedings of Data Mining IX: Data Mining, Protection, Detection and other Security Technologies, 230pp (ISBN: 1-84564-110-8) are available in hard back from WIT Press priced at £105/US$210/€157.5. Orders can be placed by telephone: +44 (0) 238 029 3223, fax: +44 (0) 238 029 2853, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via the WIT Press web site at: www.witpress.com

Papers from the conference will also be hosted online at the WIT eLibrary as volume 40 of WIT Transactions on Information and Communication Technologies (ISSN: 1743-3517). For more details visit the WIT eLibrary at: library.witpress.com.

The book “Text Mining and its applications to intelligence, CRM and knowledge management (paperback)” by A. Zanasi, 388pp, ISBN 978-1-84564-131-3, priced at £39.95 / US$80 / €60, is available from WIT Press.  Orders can be placed by telephone: +44 (0) 238 029 3223, fax: +44 (0) 238 029 2853, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via the WIT Press web site at: www.witpress.com