The Alumni Magazine for Worcester Polytechnic Institute. (WPI)
Issue link: http://wpialumnimag.epubxp.com/i/456562
C grants Cybercrime Calls For Game Strategy YBERSECURITY PROFESSIONALS aren't immune from cyber attacks. But Craig Shue, assistant professor of computer science, says many of them see cyber attacks in a way the rest of us do not. They see the stealthy attacks as a game. "It's all about fguring out the next move," says Shue, who recently received several grants for cybersecurity research. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) awarded funds supporting Shue's cutting-edge work with Choreographer, a program that shuts out hackers who randomly "phish" to gain server access. Through the DHS, Shue also received venture capital funding from Percipient Networks, to test Choreogra- pher at WPI and ready it for consumer launch this winter. Another grant from the National Science Foundation funds a system that alerts the network administrator to potential malware activity. "It's like a shell game," says Shue of Choreographer's approach. "If an attacker is guessing and trying to connect to a server, this makes it hard for them." When hackers try to look up an IPS number, their speed, or lack thereof, triggers decoys, called "honeypots," to redirect the attacker. "This stops an attack before it establishes connections," says Shue. "It's simple and really effective." Several WPI students have worked on Shue's projects, even as a base for an MQP. Choreographer will block more than 90 percent of attacks, says Shue, although not the most sophisticated. "We can protect against adversaries who are phishing," he says. "We can stop that so security can focus on the bigger stuff, the real big bad guys." Cybersecurity professionals ramp up their moves as attacks become increasingly sophisticated, and their focus shows the high stakes. "What's cool about cybersecurity is whoever is the nerdiest wins," says Shue, who also coaches the WPI Cyber Defense Competition Team and advises the Cybersecurity Club. "Whoever spends the most time fguring out how some- thing works will be the frst to do something the other guy can't." Winter 2015 11 W π pedagogy Teaching What We Do Best S TARTING THIS SUMMER, WPI will be teaching the world to teach with projects. The frst Institute on Project-Based Learning will take place on campus June 25–27, in partner- ship with the Association of American Colleges & Universities. With 40 years of experience—and more than 40 project centers on six continents— WPI has some serious expertise to offer to educators interested in advancing project-based learning on their own campuses. WPI faculty members and administrators will lead two-and-a- half days of interactive workshops, addressing everything from project design and assessment to the personal dynamics of student teams. The program also includes a keynote address by Georgetown University vice provost for education Randy Bass. Participants will arrive with a proposal and leave with a plan. As part of the application process, they are required to submit a written statement of goals. During the sessions, they will refne their team's vision and develop action steps tailored for their institution. Rick Vaz '79, dean of Interdisciplinary and Global Studies, says, "A recent study of the WPI Plan con- frms that our project-based approach to learning conveys lifelong benefts to our alumni. We are eager to share our experience and expertise to help other institutions of higher education integrate project-based learning into their curricula to more effectively prepare the next generation of problem solvers and global citizens."