Training Next Gen ‘CyberCops’ 

Not so long ago, a strong password felt mighty enough to keep computer data private. Now we live amid heightened risks in malware, phishing, spearphishing and denial-of-service attacks. Even scarier, it is possible for terrorists to commandeer a personal computer – yes, any computer – without the user suspecting danger until it’s way too late. 

To thwart the threat, Rakesh Verma, computer science professor at the University of Houston College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, is leading a new CyberCops training program, funded by a $250,000 grant from the U.S. Navy’s Office of Naval Research. The vital new program – sponsored by UH with cooperation of UH-Downtown and Texas Southern University – will introduce the field of cybersecurity to ROTC students recruited from the participating universities. 

Knowing how to fight cyber threats is not always easy, especially with deceptions, fake news and social engineering specifically designed to avoid detection. “You have to put yourself in the shoes of the attacker,” Verma said. “Think like an attacker and find the weaknesses.” Through well-rounded classroom and lab training, students will gain expertise in the intersection of several fields, including data science, machine learning and cybersecurity.