Aerial view of Main Building
American University of Sharjah (AUS), one of the world’s top 500 universities, announced today that it will organize its first cyber security boot camp to update general computer users from professionals and students on the latest cyber security threats and the techniques to combat cyber-crime. To be held at the AUS from 9am to 4pm on January 20-22, 2013, the boot camp will showcase the knowledge and insight gained by the AUS Department of Computer Science & Engineering as it monitors and analyzes new trends in cybercrime. AUS is the first UAE educational institution to organize such a boot camp for the general public and address the wide range of issues related to online security.
The three-day boot camp is part of the AUS community outreach and is a first in a series of such information sessions that will be held frequently during 2013. It is ideal for high school students, university students and professionals who wish to expand their knowledge and capability in computer and network security. Lectures, live demonstrations, real-world examples and interactive practical labs will be utilised to explain the latest cyber security threats and online attacks on home or office networks. It will help identify the attackers as well as weaknesses in user networks, technology gadgets and net surfing habits. Participants will learn about the latest methods to protect themselves from being hacked and what to do in case of suspicious Internet activity.
Dr. Fadi Aloul, Associate Professor of Computer Science & Engineering, AUS, who is also a Computer Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), will oversee the boot camp. He said: “With the rise in IT security risks, governments, banks, companies and universities are required to provide continuous information security awareness training to their employees and students. This workshop is designed to meet the requirements of many organizations to provide annual information security awareness training to its employees and students. Today, Cyber Criminals are targeting the normal computer users to hack into the organization, making the computer user the weakest link in the security chain. The wide use of technology, fast internet access and the availability of smart phones and gadgets that can store vast amount of data are making it easier for the cyber criminals to target regular computer users. Helping the users understand the latest threats, types of hackers and their goals, and mechanisms to detect attacks and fraud can help the users and the organization be safe. Doing it an earlier stage such as high school or university will be useful. This boot camp is designed to help participants use the Internet safely and learn how to respond if they are ever hacked.”
Additional topics that Dr. Fadi Aloul will cover at the boot camp include Password Security & Encryption, Physical Security & Key loggers, Network Security & Viruses, Worms and Trojans, Wireless & Mobile Security, Social Media Security, Web Security & Phishing Attacks, Email Security & Spam Attacks and Denial of Service Attacks.
