Cybercrime is a rapidly growing problem these days, with ever-increasing internet use leading to more and more crimes such as online credit card fraud and child pornography.
As the criminals get better and better at circumventing online security, police authorities have to stay one step ahead of them to stop them in their tracks.
Last week the University of Bedfordshire, which runs a Computing, Security and Forensic course, launched its new high-tech Digital Security and Forensic Laboratory.
It's a laboratory worth £60,000 containing 15 computers – each of which is 20 times faster than the most up-to-date home PC.
And it’s what the Department of Computer Science and Technology hopes will see businesses flocking to recruit their students once they have graduated with hands-on experience of combating cybercrime.
Tim James-Hammond, a 32- year-old second year Computing, Security and Forensic student, said: “There are gaping holes in the industry at the moment. This course is quite cutting edge. The lab is great because it’s important to have somewhere which is dedicated as a sandbox.
“We use a lot of virtual machines – a computer within a computer – and now we can go in there when we need to.”
Fellow student Ronald Edema, 36, from Leagrave, said: “The lab is brilliant – it’s at the forefront of cybercrime. A lot of what we do is online. With this launch we can also raise awareness of cybercrime.”
It is hoped that students like Ronald and Tim will develop the skills necessary to help prevent criminals engaging in illegal online activities.
Professor Carsten Maple, who instigated the idea of putting together the lab in the first place, said: “One thing we try to do is give the students as much practice as we can.
“Computer security is in the news a lot now and has really hit the public eye.
“As public awareness increases, we’ll see more students attracted to it. That’s where the new lab comes in.
“In the last year, more information was created than in the last 5,000 years. Things are changing massively. The security of data is a real worry.”
Geraint Williams, who was involved in designing the lab, said: “When the opportunity came we looked at what was needed to meet the demands of students on the programme.
“All these devices which are capable of storing a lot of information, for example hard drives, even pens – things that commonly sit on our desks – investigating any of these devices is what the lab is all about.”
Luton entrepreneur Jan Telensky made the generous donation to help create the lab.
Myra Smallman, who attended the launch on behalf of Mr Telensky, said: “Jan came over from the Czech Republic with no money and couldn’t speak English.
“He had to try so hard, he learned English and had a huge work ethic to do well.” Of the new lab she said: “It’s lovely – it’s been done really well.”
The new facility, a security lab that is completely isolated from the university network, allows students to work on security testing and forensic analysis without the risk of the wider network being compromised by the student experiments.
University vice-chancellor Les Ebdon said: “I’m very excited.
The lab puts us at the forefront of computer forensics. It’s a growing business the security business. As vice-chancellor, I use computers for personal data, data for university.
“If someone could hack into that I’d be pretty concerned – so I’m glad it’s separate from the rest of the university.
“It’ll make our graduates very employable. It’s a growing industry. Even in times of the recession, there are going to be jobs for them.”
Picture courtesy of the Luton News:
In the picture, Professor Les Ebdon, Myra Smallman, Professor Carsten Maple look on while a student uses the high tech equipment
