West Virginia University announced today (Oct. 25) that Microsoft Corp., the leader in Internet and e-commerce technology, has pledged $148,000 to the Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering.
The grant will support the development of a Forensic Computer Science Certificate and Masters Degree curriculum. In addition to Microsoft, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C) have identified the importance of this initiative.
According to Sen. Robert C. Byrd,”For decades, police investigations have relied on interviews and ballistics results. Today, police require more expertise from investigators, including cyber-forensics. The ability to take apart and analyze computers, electronic networks and other high-tech tools can provide important evidence in thousands of cases. This funding award from Microsoft will allow West Virginia Universitys nationally recognized Forensic Identification program to expand into the cyber-forensics field and train the scientists and researchers who will be the best in the business.”
WVU is the only university in the world to offer a forensic identification degree and has been designated a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education by the National Security Agency. The grant from Microsoft will enable the development of a forensic computer curriculum that will complement the existing Forensic Identification, Information Assurance and Computer Science efforts at WVU .
“Microsoft applauds West Virginia Universitys efforts to create a sustained program of education and research focusing on computer forensics,”said Howard A. Schmidt, chief information security officer at Microsoft.”There is a recognized need for programs that demonstrate excellence and innovation to solve the problems of computer crime; the WVU program clearly meets these criteria.”
David Ladd, senior manager of External Research Programs at Microsoft Research, added,”Microsoft Research University Relationsgift is consistent with our long-term commitment to higher education. Our relationship with WVU s Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering is intended to help develop and support a community of faculty and students that shares information, ideas and technology, specifically in the area of information assurance.”
According to Michael Yura, director of the WVU Forensics Identification Program,”There is a significant need for highly trained technical persons in the areas of forensic computer science, investigative science and biometrics. Forensic and investigative science focus on the hard sciences used to facilitate the solving of a crime. Biometrics is the science of identifying individuals by the use of fingerprints, retina scans, iris scans, voice prints, facial geometry and DNA .”
The goal of WVU is to create the curricula through the uses of in-house expertise, government agency input, computer industry capabilities and nationally recognized experts in the area of forensic computer science. The academic and training programs to be developed will provide a series of unique courses and programs specifically targeted to the areas of incident handling, forensic examination and the handling of evidence.
George Trapp, chair of the Lane Department, said the Microsoft funding will allow the department to grow in important areas that dovetail with existing departmental goals and objectives. According to Trapp,”The Lane Department has become a core partner with Carnegie Mellon University, NW3C and the FBI in the creation of a consortium known as the National Cyber Forensics and Training Partnership.”This program is designed to collaborate academic, government and industry efforts with expertise in network security, forensic computer science and other related skills to provide education training and direct resources to government, industry and law enforcement.
“The teaming of West Virginia University, Microsoft, NW3C and others provides a solid basis for the critically needed national model for combating cybercrime,”said Glen B. Gainer III , chair of NW3C .”We are pleased to be a partner in the cutting edge program for addressing needs related to computer forensics. A strong educational component is essential to the strategy, and WVU s program will rapidly become a national model.”