Center for Electronic Data Education and Information Assurance

Information Assurance Forum

​The University of Findlay (UF) computer science (CSCI) department, in conjunction with local organizations and sponsors, has conducted an annual Information Assurance (IA) Forum for the past 20 years. Traditionally held during October, each forum seeks to highlight a relevant IA theme for the year, and strives to include all interested members from the university campus, local community, and community at large.


2021 marked the 20th anniversary of the IA Forum as depicted in Table 1 below. Each forum includes speakers from academia, industry, and student participants, presenting on the theme for the year, along with a poster to help market the event (Figure 1). In addition, an annual data collection survey (TIC Survey) targeting key IA metrics is performed, along with the awarding of student certificates for completion of IA coursework within the UF IA program curriculum.


Table 1. The University of Findlay IA Forum History


Event SequenceYearThemeStudent PresentationsTIC
Survey		Student Certificates
12002
Trends & Opportunities in Computer Security: GovernmentNoNo0
22003
Trends & Opportunities in Computer Security: AcademiaYesNo0
32004The Changing Landscape of information SecurityYesYes3
42005Patching the CyberPotholes along the Information SuperhighwayYesYes5
52006The SPUD Factor: Where Small Potatoes can add Up to saving Big Dollars                                                               Information Security Practices for Small and Medium BusinessYesYes3
62007Copy SmartYesYes4
72008Smart BeginningsYesYes6

82009Social Networking: Business Opportunity or Security NightmareYesYes1
92010Mobile Devices: Securing Your PerimeterYesYes5
102011Securing the Cloud: The What, When, Where, and Why of its UseYesYes5
112012Do you B.Y.O.D.*? : The Consumerization of ITYesYes7
122013Cyber Security: Understanding the ThreatYesYes0
132014Big Data: Who's Watching You?YesYes5
142015The Internet of Things: Are You Secure?YesYes2
152016Insider Threats: This Time It's Personal!YesYes6
162017Securing Smart LivingYesYes2
172018Privacy vs Convenience: Can You Just Say No?YesYes2
18​2019
Think Global, Act Local: Ohio's Cyber Collaboration CommitteeYesYes4
192020Ransomware: Will You Be in Business Tomorrow?NoNo5

20

2021Your remote & Hybrid Workforce: How Secure Is It?YesYes
0

​The theme for the 2021 event, “Your Remote & Hybrid Workforce: How Secure is it?", was derived from companies working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which introduced a new series of challenges and vulnerabilities.


“Protecting information on your company network in your own building is challenging enough, but moving computer assets to home networks, where family or roommates might be competing for resources, adds another dimension to security requirements," said Helen Schneider, Ph.D., associate professor and co-chair of the computer science department. “During the forum, we will discuss how organizations can educate employees, and prepare them to deal more securely with remote and hybrid work."


The keynote speaker for the 2021 forum was Michael P. Brian, supervisory special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Brian has been employed by the FBI since 1999 and currently serves as a Supervisory Special Agent for FBI Cleveland's Cyber Criminal Squad. Throughout his career, he has worked investigations involving bank robberies, violent crimes, crimes against children on the internet, and national security and criminal cybercrimes.​


​Figure 1. Marketing Poster for 2021 IA Forum



​


Planning for the 2022 forum is currently underway.​

Primary Point of Contact​

​

Helen M. Schneider, Ph.D.

Associate Professor and Co-Chair of Computer Science

Office Location: Computer Science Faculty Office Room A

[email protected]

419-434-4653​​​