Tag: Cybersecurity

Nicholls State University Secures Two Cybersecurity Grants from Louisiana Board of Regents

Nicholls State University recently secured two cybersecurity grants funded by the Louisiana Cybersecurity Grant initiative, as per this news release from Nicholls State University.  This initiative, developed by the Louisiana Board of Regents, aimed to establish the Maritime Cybersecurity program at Nicholls State University and the Louisiana Cyber Academy. These programs are set to bolster the university’s efforts in producing a highly-skilled cybersecurity workforce.

Nicholls President, Jay Clune, PhD, emphasized the importance of both cybersecurity grants and the development by noting that the creation of a proficient cybersecurity workforce was crucial to addressing the regional, state, and national needs. He stated that these grants empower Nicholls to stay at the forefront of technological innovation and workforce readiness.

With the aid of the grant, Nicholls State University planned to develop a new curriculum focused on Maritime Cybersecurity. This curriculum would culminate in an 18-credit-hour Certificate in Maritime Cybersecurity, which could be earned by current students as part of their baccalaureate studies or by graduates seeking to reskill or enhance their skills. The funding would be utilized to support new instructors, technology, and program management.

Nicholls serves as a pivotal hub for the maritime industry, offering services to significant coastal ports involved in shipbuilding, seafood production, coastal restoration, and offshore service industries. The university would also house a new Coastal Center, dedicated to providing scientific and engineering solutions to adapt, protect, and restore Louisiana’s coastline. Additionally, Nicholls had been designated as the site for the new Universities of Louisiana Maritime Academy, designed to offer numerous educational pathways tailored to the workforce needs of Louisiana’s coastal and maritime sectors.

The National Maritime Cybersecurity Plan’s publication underscored the necessity of preparing the nation’s maritime infrastructure for cybersecurity threats. Louisiana’s extensive network of bayous and canals, connecting inland facilities to the coast, makes it a key player in U.S. maritime commerce. Developing a cyber-qualified maritime workforce in Louisiana not only enhances security but also boosts the local economy.

Dr. John Doucet, Nicholls’ Dean of the College of Sciences and Technology and the author of the maritime cybersecurity program, highlighted the significance of these cybersecurity grants and this achievement. He stated that the grants represented a significant victory for both the region and the university as they continue to expand programs vital to the local workforce.

In addition to the Maritime Cybersecurity program, Nicholls State University would partner with the Louisiana Cyber Academy (LCA), a statewide initiative aimed at developing and delivering essential cybersecurity education. This initiative addresses the growing need for cybersecurity talent and aims to expand the state’s cybersecurity workforce. The grant would establish the LCA as a central hub to co-develop and launch six online cybersecurity courses. These courses would lead to a Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certificate aligned with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

These courses could be integrated into existing degree programs at these institutions, significantly benefiting those with limited or no cybersecurity courses. The pilot year would involve testing and refining the process with the goal of enrolling 50 students. In subsequent years, the LCA would be open to all public postsecondary institutions in Louisiana.

In 2023, Louisiana’s public postsecondary institutions produced 357 graduates with degrees or concentrations in cybersecurity. However, with 4,500 unfilled cybersecurity jobs in Louisiana, this partnership aims to produce more qualified candidates to meet the state’s growing needs.

The College of Sciences and Technology at Nicholls offers programs leading to associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, as well as undergraduate pre-professional programs preparing students for further education at other institutions. The college also provides general education coursework in the natural sciences for all university students. Faculty members are leaders in teaching, research, and service, engaging students in these activities to professionalize their skills and prepare them for life after graduation.

For more Louisiana-related articles, click here.

LSU’s $1M Initiative to Enhance Memory Forensics

In a groundbreaking development, LSU’s cybersecurity team, under the leadership of experts Golden Richard and Aisha Ali-Gombe, has been awarded a significant grant of $1 million from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This substantial funding comes through the Criminal Investigations and Network Analysis Center, a Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence at George Mason University, aimed at advancing the field of memory forensics. As per this news release from LSU, the focus of this research is to enhance digital investigations and recover elusive evidence related to criminal activities.

At the forefront of memory forensics development globally, LSU’s cybersecurity team specializes in documenting short-term memory on computers and digital devices, including cell phones. This innovative approach distinguishes itself from traditional digital forensics, which primarily deals with permanently stored data and long-term memory on hard drives. Drawing an analogy to a coroner autopsying a human brain versus documenting a person’s thoughts, memory forensics experts possess an almost supernatural ability to extract evidence.

The team’s prowess in memory forensics has garnered collaborations with state and federal agencies, as well as leading security and defense organizations, such as the National Security Agency, U.S. Secret Service, Louisiana State Police, and Louisiana National Guard. LSU’s recent recognition as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations by the National Security Agency highlights the importance of their ability to teach hands-on memory forensics.

Golden Richard, a professor in the Division of Computer Science and Engineering at LSU, emphasizes the challenges posed by modern cyber threats. He notes, “Malware and cyberattacks now routinely leave no traces on non-volatile data storage devices,” putting immense pressure on investigators trained in traditional forensic techniques.

The urgency to address these challenges comes in the wake of major hacks by foreign adversaries targeting the safety and security of the United States. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has mandated the use of memory forensics as part of incident response for affected agencies. However, the complexity of memory forensics poses accessibility and scalability issues for many agencies lacking user-friendly tools and a sufficient workforce. To tackle this, Richard’s project aims to make memory forensics more accessible. Integrating the Structured Threat Information Expression (STIX) language with the open-source Volatility Framework, the team envisions creating a more user-friendly and efficient toolset. This integration will enable investigators from diverse backgrounds to conduct accurate and efficient cyber operations.

The second project, led by Aisha Ali-Gombe, focuses on recovering code and reconstructing processes on Android devices, which command a 70 percent global market share. This initiative seeks to investigate illegal activities on Android smartphones, including cryptocurrency transactions and chat data between terrorists on encrypted social media platforms. Ali-Gombe explains, “Our framework will be able to reconstruct the execution path of a mobile application that clearly shows the most recent user activity, thus providing investigators with actionable evidence they can use in court.”

The collaborative efforts of both undergraduate and graduate LSU students contribute significantly to these research projects. Lauren Pace, a doctoral student, expresses excitement about impacting real investigations and speeding up information recovery. Meanwhile, Nicholas Tanet, a computer science senior, highlights his appreciation for the research process and newfound interest in memory analysis and reverse engineering.

In conclusion, LSU’s cybersecurity team emerges as a formidable force, seamlessly merging academic excellence with practical cybersecurity solutions. Their dedication to advancing memory forensics not only combats present threats but also positions LSU at the forefront of shaping the future of cybersecurity. As the digital landscape continually evolves, LSU remains a stalwart guardian, propelling the field forward with groundbreaking research and education initiatives.

For more education-related information, click here.