* Resources from Dartmouth College Institute for Security Technology Studies
One of the great pleasures of working in information assurance is the collegiality of experts in the field. For the most part, regardless of how firms, associations, institutes, and universities compete with others of their respective types, everyone seems to agree that we are all on the same side of the battle against The Bad Guys.
Here in Vermont and western New Hampshire, we are building a satisfying and productive association among four educational institutions and their affiliated research arms. Champlain College, Dartmouth College, Norwich University and University of Vermont faculty and staff who are interested in information assurance have been cooperating for several years now in exchanging information and participating in each other’s educational events. For example, we routinely send each other announcements of lectures and seminars at each institution. I am particularly pleased that undergraduate and graduate student speakers from all of the institutions are selected by participating faculty for the annual IA student symposium at Norwich.
Today, I would like to draw your attention to the work of the Dartmouth College Institute for Security Technology Studies (ISTS).
The ISTS was founded in 2000 and has an extensive group of participating faculty members, researchers and students involved in a wide range of interesting research projects. The ISTS publishes a beautiful free quarterly newsletter available online and by subscription; it keeps readers informed of new research reports and ongoing projects.
A recent report by Charles Billo and Welton Chang of the ISTS reviews information warfare capabilities and motivations of a number of nations, including China, India, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, and Russia. Their findings support the view that cyberwarfare is a realistic threat, especially with the growing dependence of U.S. industry on outsourced foreign information-technology labor.
Another project highlighted on the current home page is the Emergency Readiness and Response Research Center, where scientists and technologists have created realistic computer “models and scenarios that represent mass casualty accidents, natural disasters, and terrorist attacks.” These simulations match some of the best video games in their realism and excitement – powerful tools in educating and training emergency-response personnel, including our military people, in how to respond effectively to a wide range of situations and, perhaps, to forestall disaster.
There are many other fascinating research reports and projects described on the ISTS Web site, and I encourage readers to explore these resources.
