Security in learning management systems: designing collaborative learning activities in secure information systems

The field of research on information technology applications in the design of computer supported collaborative learning (CSCL) activities generates very complex scenarios which must be studied from different approaches. One approach is to consider information security, but not only from a technological point of view. In this paper we argue that current e-learning systems supporting on-line collaborative learning do not sufficiently meet essential security requirements, and this limitation can have a strong influence in the collaborative learning processes. In order to alleviate these problems we have proposed an approach based on Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) models that offer essential security properties and services in on-line collaborative learning, such as availability, integrity, identification and authentication, access control, confidentiality, non repudiation, time stamping, audit service and failure control