The artistic side of cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is part of our daily lives, whether we know it or not. A new art project uses the digital debris people leave behind when they discard their cellphones showing why data protection matters.

Michael McDermott, an assistant professor in graphic design at George Mason University’s School of Art, created 80 unique videos from 14 different cell phones showing easily recovered or simply never deleted images, texts, web histories, location data, and videos. Some phone owners left images of checks, drivers’ licenses, passports, and other personal data without so much as a PIN to protect their personal information. 

The Undelete project is part of the  CCI Building Bridges Arts and Design Collaboration Program we funded late last year. Michael’s project is already on display in Detroit, Mich., and will be featured at Mason in November.

CyberOps’21

All Virginia students are invited to participate in CyberOps’21 on Oct. 22-23 either via Zoom or in-person to get hands-on cybersecurity experience and network with industry professionals. Have your resumes ready! This popular free event isn’t limited to STEM majors and will feature a capture the flag competition with prizes. It’s hosted by Old Dominion University, which leads CCI’s Coastal Virginia region.

Securing NextG Research Focus

CCI and Virginia are getting out in front of helping to shape the vision of the next generation of networks, frequently called NextG. These networks promise to combine speed and AI. Our Securing NextG Call for Proposals is getting a terrific response—nearly 30 research teams plan to participate. The call closes on Oct. 4.

Meet me at Tech on Tap

I’m looking forward to discussing NextG, which combines 6G with AI, at the Tech on Tap event held at 6 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Port City Brewing Company, 3950 Wheeler Ave., Alexandria, Virginia. If you’re in the D.C. region, it would be great to see you there!

Missed the Engineering Resilient Cyber-Physical Systems webinar on Sept. 24?

The Road to Equity-Conscious Research in Cybersecurity Webinar

The next webinar in the seminar series––The Road to Equity-Conscious Research in Cybersecurity––will be held 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Oct. 14. National Academy of Education President Gloria Ladson-Billings will introduce the concept of culturally relevant teaching methods, followed by a panel that will share their best hacks to ensure diversity in their programs. You don’t want to miss these illustrative tips and techniques that are sure to help boost your equity-conscious research in cybersecurity. 

Calling all Virginia student (and faculty) entrepreneurs! 

Congrats!

CCI Researcher Daphne Yao was awarded the prestigious Lasting Research Award at the ACM Conference on  Data and Application Security and Privacy (CODASPY) 2021: "For pioneering research contributions sustained for around over two decades in enterprise data exposure detection high-precision vulnerability screening, and anomaly detection." 

George Mason University Eminent Scholar in Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity Awareness Month

October is national Cybersecurity Awareness Month. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Awareness Agency (CISA) is offering a host of resources, including the free Fourth Annual National Cybersecurity Summit.

The Capital Cybersecurity Summit and Capital Cyber Awards will be held on Oct. 22 and focus on bridging the gap between policy and practice. You’ll meet leading experts and learn more about the latest advancements and innovations in cybersecurity. Keynote speakers included Jen Easterly, CISA director. The 2021 Capital Cybersecurity Award winners will also be announced. George Mason University and Virginia Tech, leaders of CCI’s Northern Virginia and Southwest Virginia regions, are involved in the summit. 

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