Thomas Heverin’s Post

I am thrilled to announce the completion of my thesis at UCL, as part of my Master's in Information Security, under the guidance of Prof. Emiliano De Cristofaro. Machine Learning is everywhere today, aiding in various decision-making models. The advent of Federated Learning (FL) enables users to contribute to learning, ensuring their data remains private and local. However, this dissertation delves into a critical concern—what if participants act maliciously to compromise the model? In this work, I explored Data Poisoning Attacks, showcasing their severity on FL models, implementing and launching several examples, and studying their implications. After examining existing defense strategies, I’ve identified and proposed a new set of algorithms aimed at predicting and eliminating malicious participants from contributing to FL models, ensuring participant privacy and product utility. This work encapsulates observing vulnerabilities, confirming them through practical attacks, proposing mitigating solutions, and presenting results contributing to the community's goal of eliminating such attacks. Excitingly, we are in the process of working towards publishing this research, contributing further to the discourse on securing Federated Learning against Data Poisoning attacks. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Prof. Emiliano de Cristofaro for his invaluable guidance and to everyone who supported me throughout this year. #InformationSecurity #FederatedLearning #DataPoisoning #MachineLearning #UCL #Cybersecurity

CHESS Cyber-Security Excellence Hub #article ---- In "Automated Feedback for Participants of Hands-on Cybersecurity Training", Valdemar Švábenský, Jan Vykopal, Pavel Čeleda, Ján Dovjak (Masaryk University Brno) investigate innovative methods for leveraging the trainee data to provide automated feedback about actions performed. The researchers propose and implement feedback software with four modules to analyse command-line data captured during the training. The modules feature progress graphs, conformance analysis, activity timeline, and error analysis. The quantitative evaluation of responses from 45 trainees showed that the feedback was valuable and supported the training process, even though some features still needed to be fine-tuned. The graph visualisations were perceived as the most understandable and valuable. A qualitative evaluation of trainees’ comments revealed specific aspects of feedback that could be improved. The software is published as an open-source KYPO Cyber Range Platform component. Moreover, the principles of automated feedback generalise to different learning contexts, such as operating systems, networking, databases, and other areas of computing. More at: https://lnkd.in/d3dPrM78 ---- University of Tartu Institute of Computer Science, Masaryk University Brno, Brno University of Technology, TalTech Centre for Digital Forensics and Cyber Security, Cybernetica, Guardtime, National Cyber and Information Security Agency, Riigi Infosüsteemi Amet // Estonian Information System Authority (NCSC-EE), Red Hat

I am thrilled to share my experience after successfully completing the first semester in the Master of Cybersecurity Program at Illinois Institute of Technology! 🔐 Unveiling the Cyber World: Exploring Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing During this semester, I immersed myself in the captivating realm of ethical hacking, where I acquired expertise in securing systems. From utilizing Kali Linux to programming for security professionals, I refined my skills in TCP-IP concepts, network and computer attacks, and the intricate processes of gathering target information through footprinting and social engineering. The journey further unfolded with activities such as port scanning, enumeration, and comprehending vulnerabilities in desktop and server operating systems. The introduction to Metasploit proved to be a game-changer, prompting me to delve even deeper into its complexities with the course "More With Metasploit." 💡 Bridging Theory and Practice: Introduction to Information Security As I ventured into the domain of information security, I gained valuable insights into algorithm analysis, comprehending the fundamentals, and unraveling the intricacies of graph traversal, greedy algorithms, divide and conquer, dynamic programming, network flow, and NP and computational intractability. This strong foundation has equipped me with the necessary knowledge to effectively tackle the ever-evolving challenges in the cybersecurity landscape. 📚 Introduction to Algorithms: The Foundation of Security In my pursuit of knowledge, I embarked on a profound exploration of algorithms, delving into the fundamental principles that underpin algorithm analysis, graph traversal, greedy algorithms, divide and conquer strategies, dynamic programming, network flow, as well as NP and computational intractability. These essential components serve as the bedrock for constructing resilient security systems, and I am enthusiastic about further expanding my comprehension in this domain. I am profoundly appreciative of the invaluable opportunity to acquire knowledge from esteemed faculty members and collaborate with fellow enthusiastic students at Illinois Tech. As I eagerly anticipate the forthcoming semesters, I am committed to augmenting my expertise and making meaningful contributions to the ever-evolving realm of cybersecurity. Let us join forces to safeguard the digital future together! 💻🔒 #Cybersecurity #GradStudent #InfoSec #EthicalHacking #Algorithms #IllinoisTechJourney

Connecticut is trailblazing its way into molding the cybersecurity experts of tomorrow. It’s not just about hitting the books at UConn, Fairfield University, University of New Haven, and Quinnipiac University; our universities are crafting a dynamic curriculum constantly evolving, just like the cybersecurity landscape itself. They’ve got the industry's top dogs backing them with partners and grants and, of course, the Connecticut CyberHub. It's not all theory and textbooks. Universities are propelling innovation at the crossroads of AI and cybersecurity, merging creativity with technology and helping to scale into jobs of the future. Read more at: https://lnkd.in/e46vZ4TS

Exciting News for Aspiring Cybersecurity Enthusiasts! 🔒 Are you ready to embark on a journey into the dynamic world of cybersecurity while also strengthening your computer science foundation? 🌐💻 Look no further, as I've got some fantastic resources to share with you! YouTube Channel: Computerphile 📺 Dive into a treasure trove of captivating videos on computer science and cybersecurity. From algorithms and data structures to cryptography and beyond, Computerphile breaks down complex concepts into bite-sized, understandable nuggets. Subscribe now: Computerphile YouTube Channel https://lnkd.in/dWs6USKQ Free Course: HarvardX: CS50's Introduction to Computer Science 📚 Enhance your computer science knowledge with this comprehensive course offered by Harvard University. Strengthen your understanding of algorithms, data structures, and software engineering principles – all essential for your journey into the world of cybersecurity. Enroll for free: HarvardX: CS50's Introduction to Computer Science https://lnkd.in/dGSwX6ta Whether you're a newcomer to the realm of cybersecurity or looking to solidify your foundation, these resources will pave the way for an exciting and impactful career. Remember, cybersecurity is not just about technology – it's about safeguarding and protecting what matters most. Let's lock arms and embark on this empowering journey together! 💪🛡️ Everestus!!! #Cybersecurity #ComputerScience #TechEnthusiast #LearningJourney #Empowerment #OnlineCourses #Infosec #cybersecurity_oclock #Computerphile

Hey fellow enthusiasts regarding cybersecurity/computing education and/or learning transfer: Here is the first of three articles exploring the implications of transfer theories on cybersecurity instruction, assessment, and testing. This one explores cognitive theories. The second one explores sociocultural/situative theories and is currently in review. The third forthcoming paper explores the negative or neutral or negative implications of cognitive theories for minoritized cybersecurity learners and the positive implications of sociocultural theories. https://lnkd.in/gH-jtCJP

🔍 Thrilled to share insights from my recent presentation as a cybersecurity graduate student! 🎓🔒 📚 Dived deep into the innovative paper "LeakSemantic: Identifying Abnormal Sensitive Network Transmissions in Mobile Applications," addressing critical security challenges in detecting abnormal sensitive network transmissions in Android apps. 💡 🛠 Explored the sophisticated methodology to tackle these challenges, including innovative static-dynamic hybrid program analysis and robust analytical machine learning classification. 📊 🔍 Report promising simulation results that shed light on LeakSemantic's effectiveness in detecting and mitigating suspicious data transmissions. 💪 #Cybersecurity #MobileSecurity #Research #GraduateLife 🚀

Department of Defense Increases Support for Information Security and Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence Curriculum to ... - Ferris State Torch: Department of Defense Increases Support for Information Security and Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence Curriculum to ...  Ferris State Torch #CyberSecurity #InfoSec #SecurityInsights

I've recently completed four IT courses, expanding my knowledge of key concepts and practical applications in this dynamic field. Completed Courses: Computer Science: Algorithms, Theory, and Machines (Princeton University): This course provided a solid foundation in the core principles of computer science, including algorithms, data structures, and computational theory. Data, Security, and Privacy (University of California, Irvine): This course delved into the critical issues of data protection, privacy concerns, and best practices for securing sensitive information. Introduction to Big Data (University of California, San Diego): This course explored the world of big data, covering its collection, storage, analysis, and visualization, as well as its potential to drive informed decision-making. Cybersecurity for Everyone (University of Maryland, College Park): This course focused on the essential principles of cybersecurity, teaching how to identify and mitigate common threats and vulnerabilities. #ITLearning #ProfessionalDevelopment #LifelongLearning

⭐ Feeling Grateful ⭐ Dear LinkedIn Family, As I reflect on my educational journey, I am immensely thankful for the guidance and expertise of Dr. Tyson McMillan, Ph.D. and Dr. Samuel Muwanguzi, Ph.D. at the University of North Texas. Their dedication in teaching the "Information and Cyber-Security" course has been pivotal in shaping my understanding and passion for cybersecurity. The course covered crucial topics such as risk management, cryptography, and the ethical dimensions of information security, providing a solid foundation for anyone looking to enter this dynamic field. The lessons learned have not only enhanced my academic knowledge but also significantly influenced my career trajectory. Transitioning from a background in Electronics and Communication Engineering to delving deep into the realms of Information Science and Cybersecurity has been a transformative experience. I am excited to continue exploring and contributing to the field of cybersecurity, armed with the knowledge and skills imparted by Dr. T and Dr. M. Thank you for your invaluable mentorship and for inspiring me to pursue a path that combines technology with strategic security measures. To my peers and colleagues: if you're considering a shift towards cybersecurity, I highly recommend exploring courses like the one offered at UNT. The blend of theoretical knowledge and practical insights is truly enriching. Here's to many more learning experiences and to making a positive impact in the cybersecurity landscape! #InformationScience #Cybersecurity #unt #InformationSecurity