TMCnet News
Troy University scores Microsoft award(Montgomery Advertiser (AL) (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Mar. 11--Troy University is among 14 universities from around the world that have earned a prestigious $50,000 Microsoft computing curriculum award for internal and external research. Troy, along with 114 other institutions, submitted proposals to Microsoft detailing projects in the areas of security, reliability, privacy, business integrity and secure software engineering. The university will use its award to create a cyber-security lab where computer science majors learn to develop secure and reliable information technology systems, said grant writer Mehmet Sahinoglu. "This brave endeavor will eventually and gradually take us to the establishment of a center of advanced research in computer security and reliability at Troy University," said Sahinoglu, who heads up the computer science department at Troy's Montgomery campus. "It will create a future powerhouse for our academia and greater community," Sahinoglu said. Stephen Goldsby, CEO of Integrated Computer Solutions Inc. in Montgomery, is collaborating with the university to develop the cyber-security lab. ICS provides operations support for mainframe, midtier and enterprise networks. "It's not surprising that this grant was awarded in Montgomery," Goldsby said. "We have a strong university system and a strong information technology base because of the work done at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base. All the necessary tools are in place for a top-notch research project in this area." Goldsby's company is donating equipment for the hands-on troubleshooting lab. It will be used to simulate complex networks where security and privacy are essential, including those found in banks, and government and law enforcement agencies. The group also will provide technical support. "I really believe in this project because I feel the research could have the ability to aid us in our business," Goldsby said. Sahinoglu agrees. "This is the beginning of an even harder challenge to execute the project," Sahinoglu said. "But I am sure we can carry it to even greater heights." |