NSF Awards University Cyber Researchers Conference Grant

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The National Science Foundation has awarded a group of university cyber researchers across the state a grant to develop an upcoming conference on ethics and digital forensics.

The Alabama Cyber Research Consortium, comprised of the state’s seven doctoral granting universities, was, along with The University of Alabama’s Cyber Institute and the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Center for Information Assurance and Joint Forensics Research, awarded an NSF Science, Technology, and Society grant to design the three-day conference at the National Science Foundation in Bethesda, Maryland in May.

“This grant is the first of many anticipated funded projects between members of the Alabama Cyber Research Consortium,” said Reginald Hyde, executive director of UA’s recently created Cyber Institute. “UA’s Institute is excited to begin developing cyber policy – such as that projected by this project – that benefits the citizens of Alabama.”

The conference will provide opportunities for academics and practitioners to gather and address critical issues in digital forensics, including a lack of unifying ethical standards, procedures and guidelines for routine activities such as digital forensic analysis, cyber crime case processing and data mining/surveillance.

“This is the first time that the topic of ethical guidelines for digital forensic examiners has been openly discussed at such a high level forum,” said Dr. John Sloan, director of UAB’s Center for Information Assurance and Joint Forensics Research, and principal investigator of the grant. “We hope to develop policies and ‘best practices’ as a result of this conference that will assist forensic examiners and reduce the potential of lawsuits and mishandled criminal cases.”

UA created its new Cyber Institute to organize and leverage the University’s expansive, yet diverse, cyber efforts under one “umbrella” to better facilitate research and teaching opportunities.

“Cyber technology offers a tremendous collaboration opportunity for the University with ALCRC members, particularly UAB, given the proximity of the two schools,” said Dr. Mark M. Lanier, associate director of the Cyber Institute and UA professor of criminal justice.

Lanier and Dr. Kathryn Seigfried Spellar, UA assistant professor of criminal justice, are co-principal investigators on the grant. UA’s department of criminal justice is part of the College of Arts and Sciences.

The Alabama Cyber Research Consortium  includes The University of Alabama, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Auburn University, Alabama A&M University, the University of South Alabama, and Tuskegee University.

The Alabama Cyber Research Consortium is the culmination of individual and collective commitments to research, advanced development, education, and outreach in all areas of cybercrime, prevention and related forensic areas. ALCRC is an active group of scientists, engineers, and affiliates committed to creating solutions with practical impact on state, local, regional and the national economy and to helping consumers, corporations and the public sector solve real problems and avoid significant harm involving cybercrime and national security issues.