ROCHESTER, N.Y., July 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) and
Rochester Institute of Technology today
announced a new collaboration to advance education for computing
security students by providing software that simulates the
real-world experience of combatting today's cybersecurity
threats.
"The shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals is one of
the biggest issues facing the security industry today, and it's
only expected to grow," said Bob
Kalka, vice president of IBM's Security Business Unit and
RIT computer science alumnus. "By equipping students with the tools
and insight needed to defend against the next generation of
security threats, we'll be better preparing these students for
careers in the world of cybersecurity. With this collaboration, we
also hope to create co-op experiences for RIT students and to
identify future employees interested in protecting IBM's customers
from cyber threats."
As the computing security industry evolves and faces
increasingly sophisticated attacks, companies are struggling to
find enough professionals qualified to address the new threat
landscape. According to a 2015 (ISC)² Global Information Security
Workforce Study conducted by Frost and Sullivan, analysts predict a
shortfall of 1.5 million trained cybersecurity professionals in the
workforce by 2020.
The collaboration will enhance an existing laboratory at RIT,
allowing students studying computing security to use
industry-leading IBM software for security intelligence and
advanced threat protection, preparing them for the frontlines of
security. The lab will underscore an on-going collaboration between
IBM and RIT. The software will be used in coursework, IBM will host
seminars at RIT and students and faculty will help to shape IBM's
security products with feedback.
The relationship gives RIT access to IBM's security solutions,
such as its QRadar Security Intelligence platform, including an
easy-to-use unified architecture for integrating security
information and event management, flow analytics, log management,
incident forensics and vulnerability management. Students will also
have access to IBM tools for web access security, network security
and application vulnerability testing.
The lab is set up as a controlled environment for students to
experiment with real-world security scenarios. Students will use
the security analytics software in a variety courses, including
network security and forensics, penetration testing and systems
security. RIT will also have access to IBM's threat-sharing
platform, IBM X-Force Exchange, giving students the chance to learn
from real-life threat data coming from IBM and other companies
across the globe.
"We want to put the best tools in front of our students and with
this partnership our students will be learning with systems that
companies actually use in industry everyday," said Bill Stackpole, professor of computing security.
"IBM does a great job with security intelligence, creating
databases where you can rank vulnerabilities and maps so you can
see where attacks are coming from."
With this lab, RIT students will be able to explore a variety of
issues related to the collection and analysis of security-related
events. Students will also learn to effectively identify,
communicate and react to real security incidents.
In 2012, RIT became the first university in the nation to create
a department solely dedicated to computing security. The
department, housed in RIT's B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing
and Information Sciences, includes faculty members from several
disciplines of computing, including software engineering, computer
science and information technology.
About Rochester Institute of
Technology
Rochester Institute of Technology is
home to leading creators, entrepreneurs, innovators and
researchers. Founded in 1829, RIT enrolls 18,000 students in more
than 200 career-oriented and professional programs, making it among
the largest private universities in the U.S. The university
is internationally recognized and ranked for academic leadership
in business, computing, engineering, imaging science, liberal
arts, sustainability, and fine and applied arts. RIT also
offers unparalleled support services for deaf and
hard-of-hearing students. The cooperative education program is one
of the oldest and largest in the nation. Global partnerships
include campuses in Croatia,
Dubai and Kosovo. To learn more, visit www.rit.edu
About IBM Security
IBM's security platform provides the security intelligence to
help organizations holistically protect their people, data,
applications and infrastructure. IBM offers solutions for identity
and access management, security information and event management,
database security, application development, risk management,
endpoint management, next-generation intrusion protection and more.
IBM operates one of the world's broadest security research and
development, and delivery organizations. For more information,
please visit www.ibm.com/security, follow @IBMSecurity on Twitter
or visit the IBM Security Intelligence blog.
Media Contacts
Cassy
Lalan
IBM Media
Relations
cllalan@us.ibm.com
312-529-9057
|
Scott
Bureau
RIT University News
Services
sbbcom@rit.edu
585-475-2481
|
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SOURCE IBM