Repository practices for the dark arts: when openness conflicts with safety

Open science principles increasingly demand that research data be findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR), yet cybersecurity research, particularly malware analysis and threat intelligence, exists in a paradox. The artifacts that underpin reproducible research are the very materials that could enable harm if openly shared. This proposal presents an initial open question at the intersection of open science and cybersecurity research. The main aim is to promote dialogue within the community on developing repository practices, ethical frameworks, and technical architectures that balance legitimate research needs against security risks, asking: how can repositories be "open to all" when the data itself can be weaponised?

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Publication Details

Journal
Research Portal (Queen's University Belfast)
Published
2026-02-28
Primary Topic
Scientific Computing and Data Management
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Repository practices for the dark arts: when openness conflicts with safety

Domhnall; id_orcid 0000-0002-8424-2757 Carlin
Research Portal (Queen's University Belfast)
Scientific Computing and Data Management
article

Repository practices for the dark arts: when openness conflicts with safety

Domhnall; id_orcid 0000-0002-8424-2757 Carlin
article en

Abstract

Open science principles increasingly demand that research data be findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR), yet cybersecurity research, particularly malware analysis and threat intelligence, exists in a paradox. The artifacts that underpin reproducible research are the very materials that could enable harm if openly shared. This proposal presents an initial open question at the intersection of open science and cybersecurity research. The main aim is to promote dialogue within the community on developing repository practices, ethical frameworks, and technical architectures that balance legitimate research needs against security risks, asking: how can repositories be "open to all" when the data itself can be weaponised?

Research Portal (Queen's University Belfast)
Partnerships for the goals
Openalex Percentile: Top 31%
Scientific Computing and Data Management
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