- University News Archive - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Internet Safety Month Student Profile: Benjamin Miller

John Hill — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 13:52:48 +0000

In celebration of Internet Safety Month, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is profiling student researchers working in this area.�� Tell us about yourself. My name is Benjamin Miller. I am from Cabot, and my major is cybersecurity. Why did you choose ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? I chose ��Vlog��ý Little Rock because of the scholarship opportunities and because I heard good things about the engineering and computer science programs. What do you find interesting about your major? I find security interesting. The fact that even a single person can have a huge impact on security is really interesting. I think that penetration testing is an interesting side of the field. Social engineering is a really interesting side of penetration testing because of the fact that it is a people skill in a computer-based field. What kind of research and projects are you working on at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock that are related to internet safety? I am working at the Cyber Gym. I work on the various workouts that schools use to educate people in cybersecurity. Since June is Internet Safety Month, do you have any advice for how people can keep themselves safe online? I would say that not clicking on random links, and checking that people are who they say they are on social media is really important.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock partners with Forge Institute, U of A to Advance Applied Research In Cybersecurity to Support National Defense

John Hill — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 22:51:43 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is partnering with the and the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, to advance applied research in areas that support national defense, including cybersecurity. This partnership is a first-of-its-kind opportunity in Arkansas and will lead to competitive research, collaboration opportunities, and create a platform for economic growth and job creation. The partnership will focus on next-generation cybersecurity defensive capabilities for industrial control systems (ICS/SCADA) to further the protection of the nation’s critical infrastructure. Initial university collaborators will be Philip Huff, assistant professor of cybersecurity at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, and Dr. Chris Farnell, managing director of the National Center for Reliable Electric Power Transmission (NCREPT) testbed at U of A. “The Emerging Analytics Center at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has been working with the Forge Institute for over a year,” Huff said. “We are pleased to extend this collaborative effort to work on some of the nation’s most challenging cybersecurity artificial intelligence problems. This collaboration will enable access to applied research opportunities for Arkansas students and research faculty.” The joint team will leverage the capabilities of the , the National Center for Reliable Electric Power Transmission (NCREPT) testbed at U of A, and the professional and experienced team and capabilities of the Forge Institute. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and U of A are designated as academic centers of excellence by the National Security Agency and U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The U of A is also a U.S. Department of Energy center of academic excellence. This collaboration brings together the best resources, research, and capabilities of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and U of A, along with the unique capabilities and relationships of the Forge Institute. Forge Institute will collaborate with key researchers to enable access to unique research opportunities in support of the nation’s national defense. “We are excited to partner with ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and ��Vlog��ý Fayetteville to develop innovative solutions that will help address our nation’s complex and growing cyber and national security challenges,” said Lee Watson, chairman and CEO of Forge Institute. “By connecting to and building upon the existing cyber and defense sector in the State, we are establishing a foundation to drive innovation that will directly lead to high-paying jobs for Arkansans. I’m excited about this collaboration and how it will better position our state and country to defend against advanced cyber adversaries and grow the State’s economy.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Cyber Gym dispatched in 80+ high schools in Arkansas

John Hill — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 18:02:10 +0000

More than 450 students across over 80 high schools in Arkansas are learning about the in-demand field of cybersecurity through the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s .�� “Cybersecurity learning is incorporated as a pathway in the state’s Computer Science initiative,” said Philip Huff, assistant professor of computer science and cybersecurity. “We provide an interactive environment for students to both walk through various cyber attacks and learn how to defend systems. It serves to both engage students in what they are learning and hopefully interest them in learning more. Our student researchers are very creative, which makes the workouts even more engaging. They aren’t just looking through logs. We have monkeys, snakes, detectives, and old Rick Astley songs to make the learning a little more fun.” The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Cyber Gym, which provides cybersecurity education in the cloud, began offering a cybersecurity curriculum that is offered at no cost to schools and students. The Cyber Gym was developed this year as part of a partnership with the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) Office of Computer Science, the Arch Ford Education Service Cooperative’s Virtual Arkansas division, and the University of Central Arkansas. “This effort directly supports the governor’s programs for computer science and cybersecurity education. We’re proud the Cyber Gym is a teaching tool that is being used so effectively by high school students in Arkansas,” said Dr. Albert Baker, interim chair of the Department of Computer Science. “The level of usage of the Cyber Gym in this initial semester of use is a reflection of the excellent quality of the cloud-based software development that has been done by Philip and his team. The launch has been about as flawless as a software system launch can be.” The curriculum supports teachers and students through the increasingly rigorous and relevant cybersecurity concepts, which will lead to more of the state’s students being prepared for industry recognized certifications and to enter post-secondary cybersecurity programs. “Teachers have been very complementary and also helpful in making the Cyber Gym better,” Huff said. “The teacher of the largest virtual class with 200 students told us her students have really become engaged in cybersecurity. We don’t interact directly with the students, but I do get feedback when I’m out and someone sees the Cyber Gym shirt. I was able to recruit a student while I was picking up dinner when they noticed Cyber Gym on my facemask.”�� The Cyber Gym is made possible through a partnership with the Arkansas Department of Education and Google as well as through a grant funded by the National Science Foundation. A grant from Google for the online lab environment gives the university the ability to run 2,000 distinct classroom labs a month for the 2020-2021 school year. The Cyber Gym utilizes a safe and highly accessible cloud environment that deploys workouts for students to build their skills in cybersecurity applications.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock students demonstrate the university’s cloud-based cybersecurity lab, the Cyber Gym. Photo by Ben Krain.

“While the students can learn a lot of concrete skills, such as basic cryptography or the mechanics of a DoS attack, I think the main takeaway is an enhanced awareness of cyber threats and the steps the individual can take to avoid those threats,” said Samuel Willis, a graduate student in computer science from Bryant. “With the firsthand experience offered by the workouts, we hope that students will develop a more intuitive understanding of cybersecurity principles.” ��Vlog��ý Little Rock student researchers are gaining valuable experience and cybersecurity skills by creating the lessons and workouts the high school students take in the Cyber Gym. “I have learned a lot by working in the Cyber Gym,” said Andrew Bomberger, a senior computer science major from Hot Springs. “Starting out, I had limited knowledge and was lacking in critical thinking skills. Since then, I’ve noticed an improvement in almost all skill sets, such as a better understanding of programming, security, and even more confidence! You’ve heard the saying, ‘Experience is the best teacher?’ I feel I am a direct testament to that.” In the Cyber Gym, Arkansas’s junior high and high school students are learning essential cybersecurity skills like programming, data analysis, cryptography, and how to defend against cyber attacks using popular tools like IDA, Autopsy, and Nessus. Following the completion of their lessons, the students put these skills to the test with workouts created by ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students, which are often based on cybersecurity competitions they’ve competed in. “They can expect to experience what a ransomware or phishing attack will look like and the general safety practices to follow up to help combat these attacks,” Bomberger said. “Since almost everything is tied to a computer nowadays, it’s imperative that users of all ages know how to protect themselves. The critical thinking skills could also expand past the digital realm as well.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to host Community Coding Night Dec. 15

John Hill — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 17:37:48 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will host a virtual Community Night of Coding from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15.�� This is the 3rd annual event to celebrate Computer Science Education Week, an annual call to action to inspire K-12 students to learn about computer science, advocate for equity in computer science education, and celebrate the contributions of students, teachers, and partners in the field. CSforAR is partnering with the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s and to provide a virtual technology and innovation fair for families that features break-out sessions as well as four facilitated “Hour of Code” sessions. The Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock departments of computer science and information science, Cyber Gym, and Henderson State University’s Reddie Maker Space will provide tutorials and activities on coding with microbits, Google Santa Tracker and Scratch, careers in computer science and cybersecurity, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.�� “The Department of Computer Science is an enthusiastic supporter of Community Night of Coding and with an objective of generating excitement and understanding in this area of study that affords so many tremendous career opportunities,” said Dr. Al Baker, interim chair of the Department of Computer Science. “This event provides all participants with some basic insights into what a computer scientist does.” The event is free and open to all ages and no prior experience in computer science or coding is necessary to attend. Attendees can register for the event at . Attendees will be sent a schedule of events on Dec. 14. For more information, contact Sandra Leiterman at saleiterman@ualr.edu or Kelly Griffin at kelly.griffin@arkansas.gov.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock joins coalition to launch health care cybersecurity curriculum and pilot focused on veterans and first responders

John Hill — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 19:53:57 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is part of a coalition of universities and industry partners that are developing a curriculum to increase cybersecurity talent focused on health care with $6.3 million in funding from the National Security Agency.�� Vlog��ý Little Rock will work with the University of Louisville, the University of North Florida, Bluegrass Technical and Owensboro Technical, the , and a coalition of industry partners to develop a training curriculum focused on health care cybersecurity. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock will receive $640,000 for the three-year grant. “As health care data generation becomes increasingly complex, it is absolutely critical that patient health information be secure and protected. Artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies enable new methods of data protection,” said Dr. Mariofanna Milanova, professor of computer science and principal investigator on the grant for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. The pilot phase of the health care cybersecurity workforce certificate initially will provide free�� training for 200 first responders and military veterans. The certificate incorporates technology industry badging from Microsoft, IBM, and Google as well as hands-on applied learning and gamification components. Participants will learn how to protect information systems used by patients, providers, and payers in the health care industry.

Lee Watson, CEO of Forge Institute

��Vlog��ý Little Rock will work with the Forge Institute, a nonprofit organization that specializes in developing private-public partnerships that advance cyber operational objectives. The Forge Institute will help test the cybersecurity curriculum through its existing cybersecurity boot camp, where participants are trained to become cybersecurity analysts. “Our team is proud of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock for being selected to participate in this research consortium led by the University of Louisville,” said Lee Watson, CEO of Forge Institute. “The team at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has a deep bench of capability in researching and developing new tools and models for education delivery. This collaboration between the Forge Institute and ��Vlog��ý Little Rock will allow us to develop, better tailor, and test cybersecurity curriculum for the veteran and first responder communities.” Program participants will complete the three-level certificate program in six months through online courses led by instructors from coalition institutions, gaining expertise in artificial intelligence, robotics, blockchain, internet of things (IoT), machine learning. and other areas.

Philip Huff

The curriculum will employ innovative training tools including gamification and make use of anonymous datasets and use cases provided by industry partners. Once developed, the curriculum will be available to other institutions free of charge for one year. The first cohort of 30-40 students is expected to be enrolled in spring 2021.�� Each of the schools in the coalition is a NSA-designated and contributes interests, experience, and skills aligned with health care cybersecurity systems. Researchers at the , an education and simulation model laboratory for cybersecurity learning, will develop next-generation tools for delivering and assessing the cybersecurity curriculum. This will provide an exciting research opportunity for students who are entering the new bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity that will begin in the fall 2021 semester. “I’m excited to work on this research project with the NSA. As a 15+ year veteran in cybersecurity, I have seen first-hand the challenges of developing a qualified workforce,” said Philip Huff, assistant professor of computer science and cybersecurity at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “Cybersecurity is a complex field, because the tools, tactics, and techniques criminals use are ever evolving. To help address this concern, we will be developing training on cutting-edge technologies to help grow a more competitive cybersecurity workforce.” The upper right photo shows Dr. Mariofanna Milanova. Photo by Ben Krain.

ASBTDC, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Cyber Gym partner to offer free cybersecurity resources for small businesses

John Hill — Wed, 28 Oct 2020 17:07:59 +0000

The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center is teaming up with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Cyber Gym to help small businesses manage and mitigate the risks of cyber threats. “With the rise in online activity during the pandemic, cybersecurity safeguards are more important than ever. Larger companies can depend on their IT departments, but most small businesses don’t have that luxury, yet they still need to ensure their e-commerce transactions, customer data, and telework practices are secure, said Laura Fine, ASBTDC state director. “Small businesses are used to minimizing risks by protecting their assets with physical security and insurance policies, but they also need to take precautions to minimize their risks and vulnerabilities in the cyberworld.” The Cyber Gym, an education and simulation model laboratory for cybersecurity learning, will provide an online self-assessment tool for small businesses that will help assess their risk for cyber attacks and provide actionable steps the business owners can take to protect themselves. Additionally, the Cyber Gym is creating a cybersecurity awareness training series. The online training modules are based on the Department of Defense’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification framework. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students are developing these resources under the direction of Sandra Leiterman, managing director of the Cyber Gym, and Phillip Huff, assistant professor of computer science. “We are creating tools and training modules that will help small businesses be aware of cybersecurity threats on their websites and cybersecurity attacks that could impact their businesses,” Leiterman said. “A lot of small businesses are moving more services virtually during the pandemic. We want to help secure their business practices in an online environment, so we are focusing on cybersecurity threats that are pertinent to small businesses and how they could be prevented.” The modules will cover topics that include controlling access to computer resources, password management, how to sanitize media before disposal, physical access, how to protect network boundaries, and vulnerabilities. Each module will contain at least one custom “cyber workout” from the Cyber Gym. The hands-on workouts will assess and reinforce the skills and information presented in the training modules and allow participants to apply what they learn. “Our goal is to increase cybersecurity awareness among Arkansas small business owners and entrepreneurs. The tools and training that the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock CyberGym students and staff are developing for us will help us educate small businesses in a creative, effective way. We are delighted to be able to work with a campus partner on this project,” said Fine. October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. According to the Federal Communications Commission, theft of digital information has become the most commonly reported fraud. During the coronavirus pandemic, many small businesses have moved their operations online, so they could be vulnerable to digital thieves or hackers. As an additional way to help small businesses, ASBTDC will also offer a series of live webinars on small business cybersecurity that will begin in 2021. The webinars will be led by Christopher Wright, co-founder of Sullivan Wright Technologies, a security-first IT service provider based in Little Rock. His background in cybersecurity includes securing systems vital to Air Force Space Command, Medicare and Medicaid, Homeland Security, and other government agencies. Wright continued his cybersecurity work with FIS, before going into business for himself. In the upper right photo, visitors tour the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Cyber Gym, which opened in December 2019. Photo by Ben Krain.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to host Cybersecurity Summit for junior high and high school students

John Hill — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 16:00:36 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will host a virtual event for junior high and high school students who want to learn more about the rapidly growing field of cybersecurity.�� The free Cybersecurity Summit event is open to any students in grades 6-12 and will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Students will hear from a panel of cybersecurity experts about what it’s like to work in one of the most in-demand careers. Participants will also hear about educational opportunities in cybersecurity at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and ��Vlog��ý-Pulaski Technical College. “The Cybersecurity Summit is one way ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and the Department of Computer Science are introducing young people in the state to this exciting, in-demand area,” said Dr. Albert Baker, interim chair of the Department of Computer Science. “Our national security and the security of our institutions are increasingly dependent on our cybersecurity workforce.” Students will also get the opportunity to conduct a hands-on cyber attack simulation with the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Cyber Gym, an education laboratory for cybersecurity learning. The winner will receive a Cyber Gym hoodie! “The summit is a great opportunity for students who are interested in cybersecurity as a potential career, who want to learn more about the field in general, or would like to test their skills with a fun and challenging cybersecurity work out in the Cyber Gym,” said Sandra Leiterman, managing director of the Cyber Gym. The field of computer science is growing more important in Arkansas. A 2015 measure Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed into law requires every public high school to offer computer science. Earlier this month, the Arkansas Computer Science and Cybersecurity Task Force that the state require a credit in computer science in order to graduate high school and that every public high school have a computer science teacher. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has a new bachelor’s degree program in cybersecurity that begins in the fall 2021 semester. Now is a great time for students to consider cybersecurity as a career since there is a high demand for cybersecurity professionals with a high starting salary. “October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and Arkansas students need to know about the great opportunities available in this career field,” Baker said. “The average starting salary for an entry-level cybersecurity job in the U.S. is $73,000. The need is critical and the career opportunities tremendous.” Students who would like to attend the Cybersecurity Summit can fill out to register.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to host Women in Cybersecurity Virtual Event

John Hill — Mon, 05 Oct 2020 16:36:08 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Emerging Analytics Center is teaming up with Girls of Promise and the Museum of Discovery to host a Women in Cybersecurity virtual event from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, to celebrate Cybersecurity Awareness Month and International Day of the Girl. The event will give girls a chance to learn what it’s like to choose a career in cybersecurity. The event, recommended for girls in sixth grade and older, will feature a panel of female mentors working in cybersecurity as well as a mobile forensics workout via ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Cyber Gym. The panelists include Becky Passmore, senior digital forensic examiner and computer forensics instructor with the federal government; Valerie Moring, healthcare and cybersecurity lead at Edafio Technology Partners; Lora McIntosh, chief information security officer at Simmons Bank; and Beth-Anne Bygum, chief security and compliance officer at Acxiom. Representatives from Arvest Bank, Simmons Bank, Forge Institute, Virtual Arkansas, the Women’s Foundation, and the Museum of Discovery will facilitate the Cyber Gym workout. “With the ongoing growing need for cybersecurity professionals,” said Sandra Leiterman, managing director of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Cyber Gym. “It’s important to encourage girls to get interested in it and any kind of science at an early age. Traditionally, women are underrepresented in the computer sciences. The panelists will talk about their road to cybersecurity, what they do in their careers, and their schooling and training. During the second hour of the event, we will lead them through a real-life mobile forensics workout. We really want to show these girls how exciting a career in cybersecurity can be.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock receives NSF grant to host free virtual cybersecurity camp

John Hill — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 21:43:11 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has received a grant from the National Science Foundation that will allow students in grades 7-12 to attend a virtual cybersecurity summer camp in July for free. The camp is held in partnership with Virtual Arkansas and the . They will host four sessions from 9-11:30 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday on July 6-9 and July 13-16. The afternoon camp from July 6-9 is full, but registration is available for the other three sessions. “The camp will cover topics such as ransomware, mobile forensics, firewalls, and how to detect a cyberattack and what to do about it,” said Sandra Leiterman, managing director of the Cyber Gym. “Each day, we’ll have a guest speaker who will talk about cybersecurity careers in areas like information technology, government, and the FBI.” Guest speakers will include Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin, a member of the FBI’s mobile forensics team, a cybersecurity director for an Arkansas government agency, and a chief information security officer. The camp will end with a hackathon where students will show off the skills they learned throughout the week. In order to participate, students will need a computer with reliable internet access, a school-affiliated email address, a headset with a built-in microphone, and a webcam. The grant from the National Science Foundation also provides funding for the Cyber Gym to enhance undergraduate cybersecurity curriculum with security content, improve recruitment and retention of computer science and information technology students in the cybersecurity workforce, enhance faculty expertise in security competitions and skills, and increase students’ knowledge and skills in cybersecurity. For more information and to register,��.

- University News Archive - ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

Internet Safety Month Student Profile: Benjamin Miller

����Vlog��ý Little Rock partners with Forge Institute, U of A to Advance Applied Research In Cybersecurity to Support National Defense

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Cyber Gym dispatched in 80+ high schools in Arkansas

����Vlog��ý Little Rock to host Community Coding Night Dec. 15

����Vlog��ý Little Rock joins coalition to launch health care cybersecurity curriculum and pilot focused on veterans and first responders

ASBTDC, ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Cyber Gym partner to offer free cybersecurity resources for small businesses

����Vlog��ý Little Rock to host Cybersecurity Summit for junior high and high school students

����Vlog��ý Little Rock to host Women in Cybersecurity Virtual Event

����Vlog��ý Little Rock receives NSF grant to host free virtual cybersecurity camp