David Dampier - US grants

EIA-0224368
Edward B. Allen
David A. Dampier; Thomas Philip
Mississippi State University

CISE RR: Resources for Software Engineering Research

This proposal from an EPSCoR state, enhancing capabilities for software-engineering research, aims at acquiring a data base server, a configuration management system, and workstations to support the following projects:

1. CAREER: Assessment of Open-Source Software for High-Performance Computing,
2. Using Pathfinder Networks to Model Perceptions of Software Requirements,
3. Automating Steps in Software Evolution, and
4. Integrated Information Sifting for Scientific Instruments.

The first project ascertains the quality of the software using retrospective case studies by building and evaluating models that could have developed during the historical projects or releases. The second provides methods for uncovering divergent perceptions of software requirements by stakeholders and developers, thus giving an early indication of potential requirements issues in light of conceptual differences among groups. The third, creating automated techniques for semantics-based slicing and change-merging that will facilitate the reliable delivery of small increments, devises automated methods for incorporating incremental changes into software systems as they evolve. The last project, producing of imagery, develops an integrated set of algorithms and tools for analysis of scientific-instrument data to support on-line monitoring and process control. The information sifting approach includes artificial neural networks for classification of spectral images, statistical methods for rapid comparison of spectra, rule-based models of thermal imaging, and fuzzy classification using autonomous agents.

Mississippi State University (MSU), a 2001 NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAE/IAE) is administering a four-year Federal Cyber Service Scholarship for Service (SFS) program in collaboration with Jackson State University, a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) located within the State of Mississippi. MSU will also work with Tuskegee University to advance Tuskegee's IA program. The program is housed within the MSU College of Engineering by the Computer Science Department. The Department of Computer Science has a robust interdisciplinary information assurance research program, involving faculty from the areas of software engineering, artificial intelligence, and high performance computing (see http://www.cs.msstate.edu/~security).

Intellectual merit. The MSU SFS program offers a multiyear build-up of the SFS scholarship program designed to increase the number of graduates entering the federal information assurance (IA) workforce, while at the same time extending the IA course offerings outside the current Computer Science and Electrical and Computer Engineering student base to other departments and students across campus in the business school and social science disciplines. This expansion matches the evolution of the IA field and trains better prepared IA professionals.

Broader impact. The collaboration between MSU and JSU is enhancing the IA curriculum at JSU by making additional courses and IA faculty available to JSU students, and by providing an opportunity for JSU students to become SFS scholars. The collaboration is helping to increase the diversity of the federal IA workforce.

T. J. Jankun-Kelly
Mississippi State University
0627407
Panel P060969

Abstract


This research investigates a process for developing empirically validated computer security and digital forensics visualization tools. The amount of security and forensics data is too immense for an analyst to understand directly; this project utilizes computer generated depictions of this information to facilitate the comprehension of the data and to reduce decision time required to act upon the data. In order to validate that the generated visualization are effective---vital for the visualization's products to be used in a court of law---an empirical validation of the developed tools is being performed.

Two problems domains are explored by this research: Network security (the securing of Internet traffic) and computer forensics (the process of gathering evidence on digital devices). For each, a thorough domain-analysis is being performed in cooperation with network analysts and law enforcement officials in order to identify their data of interest and required tasks. This domain analysis informs the design of the visualization, which in-turn are being validated via user studies involving the pertinent users.

The results of this research will address pressing needs in network security and computer forensics---the data involved in each is too demanding for direct analysis. First, tools with measurable benefits will be provided to the user community. Secondly, the process used to created said tools will inform the development of similar tools in order to promote demonstrably rigorous and effective visualization methods.

This proposal offers to teams Mississippi State University?s (MSU) Southeast Region Regional Forensics Training Center and its Center for Critical Infrastructure Protection with collaborators at Auburn University and Tuskegee University to provide tactical level occupational training to America?s veterans by collaborating with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and offering no-cost training at or near VA hospitals. The proposal requests funding to support the enhancement of an existing digital forensics curriculum and then eventually installing it within the Veterans Administration system nation-wide. The proposal addresses a recognized and documented workforce need for skilled cyber infrastructure employees and offers to address this need by training a diverse community. The proposal builds on the combined capabilities of MSU, Auburn, and Tuskegee. MSU and Auburn are both National Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAE/IAE) and Tuskegee is currently pursuing that certification. The proposal integrates research into its training offering and strongly leverages an existing successful training initiative.

Computer Science (31)

This project provides scholarships for students seeking degrees (either undergraduate or graduate) in Information Assurance (IA). Each scholarship is for the last two years of a student's degree program. Students receive valuable education and training -- including hands-on laboratory experience -- in state-of-the-art FPGA based security, intrusion detection, digital forensics, security visualization, and ad hoc network security. Upon graduation, scholarship recipients must work for a Federal government agency in an IA position. The scholarship program helps to address the nation's need for qualified information technology professionals working in government agencies. The project has a proactive approach to recruitment of minorities and females into the scholarship program.

This engineering education research project seeks to establish a recruiting and retention program for veterans at Mississippi State University in partnership with the Mississippi College for Women. The research project, if successful, will create a portable, modular set of courses to transition veterans to college engineering programs and collect data on their effectiveness. A key element of this project is integrating research on learning preferences into the development of the transition modules. The broader significance and importance of this project will be to develop tested modules which other institutions and organizations can use to transition military veterans to college degree programs. The research effort partners with veterans organizations and professional associations to adopt best practices in recruiting under-represented students. The discoveries that may result from the modular courses to transition students will have broad applicability across organizations that deal with military veterans. This research project will enhance the number of students who complete engineering degrees and are ready to fill engineering jobs or start new high tech businesses.

The shortage of women in computer science related education is a significant and continuing problem. This effort is engaging high school, college freshman, and college sophomore women in information assurance (IA) activities. The project is increasing the participation of women in SFS-related areas and attracting women to specifically explore and work on IA efforts. A three-phase plan is being utilized to increase IA visibility and hands-on experiences to acquaint female students with IA. Phase I provides rising 11th and 12th grade high school girls a summer-camp experience, exposing them to the careers and opportunities in IA. Phase II exposes freshman women to long-term research experiences where they work collaboratively to solve real problems; increasing their motivation to work in the information assurance field. Phase III engages sophomores in summer internships with federal agencies, where they explore opportunities that will enable them to contribute to the national good. A mentoring program has been established for the women participating in all phases of the project and an advisory board of female faculty from CAE/IAE or CAE-R institutions is helping guide the efforts.

Mississippi State University (MSU), a 2001/2004/2007/2012 Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAE) recipient and a CyberCorps(R): Scholarship for Service (SFS) participating university since 2002 continues to produce SFS students for the government at a rate of approximately 10 new SFS students a year. This project supports approximately 39 students in one of six technical disciplines over a five year period (17 undergraduates, 20 M.S. students, and 2 PhD students). This program continues to be professionally organized and administered by those most closely associated with the Information Assurance program at MSU. The program continues to benefit from over $19M research funding from DOJ, DOD and NSF as each student funded under this initiative is required to participate in a research experience. MSU continues a strong working relationship with other CAEs, other universities, community colleges, and the law enforcement community. MSU graduates are successful in government service and new scholarship recipients are sought after by additional government employers.

MSU has a strong track record of building strong relationships with schools aspiring to be capable of running a scholarship program. They have partnered with several HBCUs including Jackson State University, Mississippi Valley State University, and Tuskegee University, as well as other schools, such as the University of South Alabama, the University of Texas at Tyler, and Saint Cloud State University. This project continues that work to ensure that more schools build IA programs that can provide graduates to help fill the cybersecurity workforce.

This project will contribute to the national need for well-educated scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and technicians by supporting the retention and graduation of high-achieving, low-income students with demonstrated financial need. Specifically, this project at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, will provide 20 students with four-year scholarships and services to support them as they earn four-year STEM degrees in computer science, engineering, or safety technology. The Scholars will progress through their college curriculum in two cohorts of 10 students. The Project-based Work Studio will provide the Scholars with practical hands-on experience, practice with working in multi-disciplinary team environments, and exposure to real-life projects in computer science, engineering, and technology. This work is also expected to strengthen connections among and between Scholar cohorts. The resulting sense of community, coupled with professional development and mentorship activities, is intended to help the Scholars persist in their studies, graduate, and become productive members of the STEM workforce. Thus, the Project-based Work Studio approach may provide a model for workforce development in general, as well as prepare the skilled STEM employees needed in the Appalachian area of West Virginia.

The project has three goals: (1) increase the number of students, particularly women, in computer science, engineering, and safety technology fields by recruiting academically talented and financially challenged candidates; (2) prepare graduates for careers in STEM; and (3) conduct research and disseminate results on the effectiveness of a learning approach that includes Project-based Work Studio. This Studio approach provides students with on-campus, faculty-mentored work experiences to provide engineering or technical solutions to local industries. To support success in recruiting and supporting the Scholars, the project team will build strong partnerships with schools, industry, government and other organizations. Experience Sampling Methods will be used to analyze both qualitative and quantitative data with a focus on monitoring student interest and persistence in STEM. It is anticipated that this analysis will identify socialization, gender, and other issues students face as they develop their professional identity, thus providing additional insights into the professional identity development process. This project is funded by NSF?s Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics program, which seeks to increase the number of low-income academically talented students with demonstrated financial need who earn degrees in STEM fields. It also aims to improve the education of future STEM workers, and to generate knowledge about academic success, retention, transfer, graduation, and academic/career pathways of low-income students.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.