Indiana University of Pennsylvania's Institute for Cyber Security, in collaboration with the Information Technology Support Center, will present a number of speakers for the 11th annual Cyber Security/Information Assurance Day on Oct. 30.

This annual event features nationally recognized security experts as well as speakers from regional law enforcement, government, security industry, and academia.

It is free and open to the community.

The program will be held in IUP's Hadley Union Building Ohio Room from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Persons are welcome to attend all or any of the sessions. The schedule of presenters includes:

  • 9 a.m. — Welcome and opening remarks, presented by Dr. Deanne Snavely, dean of College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
  • 9:10 a.m. — Welcome message, presented by Dr. Francisco E. Alarcón, chair, Department of Mathematical and Computer Sciences.
  • 9:20 a.m. — “Event History, ICS work, Recent Achievements and Logistics,” presented by Dr. Waleed Farag, professor of Computer Science and director, Institute for Cybersecurity at IUP.
  • 9:30 a.m. — “NeXUS: Practical and Secure Access Control on Untrusted Storage Platforms Using Client-side SGX,” presented by Dr. Adam Lee, associate dean for Academic Programs in the School of Computing and Information, University of Pittsburgh.
  • 1:35-11:25 a.m. — “The Challenges of Machine Learning in Adversarial Settings,” presented by Dr. Patrick McDaniel, professor of Information and Communications Technology in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Penn State University.
  • 12:50 p.m. — Remarks from IUP Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Timothy Moerland.
  • 1-1:50 p.m. — “Cybersecurity: The Future Threat and YOUR Opportunity,” presented by Lisa Schlosser, City Commissioner and Technology/Cyber Security Executive, Former White House official.
  • 2-2:50 p.m. — “The Changing Landscape of Cybersecurity from COMSEC to INFOSEC to Cyber Security,” presented by Dr. Glenn Lilly, technical director for the NSA's Cryptographic Assurance Operations.
  • 3-3:50 p.m. — “Ransomware and Cybersecurity,” presented by Charles Olden, Systems Engineer at CISCO.
  • 3:50 p.m. — “Conclusions,” presented by Dr. Farag.

IUP offers a bachelor's degree in computer science/Cyber Security Track and a minor in Cyber Security. The university and the Institute for Cyber Security has a history of excellence and leadership in cybersecurity education and information assurance.

  • In August 2017, a team of faculty received a grant of $212,000 from the National Security Agency to enhance cybersecurity education in western Pennsylvania.
  • A 2014 Ponemon Institute study ranks IUP's Computer Science Department among the top 25 percent of 183 American schools for cybersecurity education. The Ponemon Institute conducts independent research on digital privacy and security.
  • IUP was first selected as a National Center for Academic Excellence in Information Assurance by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security in 2002, a recognition that the university continues to hold. IUP is one of only six institutions in Pennsylvania currently holding this recognition.
  • IUP is a National Cybersecurity Alliance “Champion,” recognized by the National Cyber Security Alliance. IUP was recognized in a 2014 national survey of “Best Schools for Cybersecurity” by HP Enterprise Security, released in October 2015. The university was ranked in the top 25 percent of all cybersecurity programs in the nation. Only four Pennsylvania colleges and universities were rated in the top quartile.

IUP's program is unique because of its interdisciplinary character, blending the disciplines of criminology and computer science. In addition to the development of computer programs and systems for cybersecurity, IUP's program focuses on cybercrime detection, loss prevention, and how to collect the evidence to prosecute cybersecurity offenders.