Internet Commerce Security Laboratory to Fight Cybercrime

[Article extracted from Research at Your UB Newsletter Volume Five > Issue Three Spring 2007 edition]

Internet fraud and the potential theft of identity have been increasing at an alarming rate. At the same time, the sophistication of this activity has been on the rise and there is an increase in the use of malicious software that is installed surreptitiously on personal computers to monitor individuals’ private, commercial and financial identities. Now Government, academic and commercial collaboration will lead the next generation of security solutions.

UB, in collaboration with the Victorian State Government, Westpac Banking Corporation, and IBM Australia have agreed to join forces to forge a globally significant research alliance to tackle cybercrime. The alliance will fund and operate the Internet Commerce Security Laboratory (ICSL) to identity best practice processes and develop leading edge internet security solutions with the aim of staying one step ahead of the cybercrime associated with internet commerce. The projected budget for the ICSL in its first five years of operation is approximately $4 million. The facility will be located within UB’s Technology Park.

The new collaboration responds to rising incidents of cybercrime. A recent IBM report from the IBM Internet Security Systems (ISS) X-Force research and development team revealed that 2007 has been a record year for malware, signalling the need for businesses and consumers to remain vigilant against state of art cyber-criminals by implementing appropriate security measures.

The Laboratory will produce within Victoria an ongoing capability to tackle the problems of Internet fraud, Internet security and identity management. It will establish a reputation in providing cutting edge solutions in these areas. Research training for a significant number of highly skilled PhD students will be undertaken within the Centre for Informatics and Applied Optimization, and through Laboratory engagement. They will be industry ready for employment by banks, IBM and the financial and ICT sectors more broadly.

Retention of highly trained ICT graduates has been a concern for Australia and this alliance will provide a solution that closes this loop as well as acting as an attractor for the best in the world to join. Ballarat and Victoria will benefit through the strengthening of research links between the UB, Westpac Banking Corporation and IBM, an increased number of high-tech staff in the laboratory and an increased e-security capability.

PhD Scholarships valued at $120K over three years are presently being offered to suitably qualified IT graduates who wish to undertake research involving this Internet security challenge.

The Laboratory when operational, will focus on solving practical Internet commerce security problems that impact on Australian businesses and consumers. It will pursue the following priority areas: Phishing; Threat profiling; Forensic imaging; Public key infrastructure improvement; Malwear profiling; Fraud detection systems; Identity theft advisory; Recovery services; and End-user communication and awareness.

The establishment of the ICSL will create a unique and exciting venture, which will have practical benefits for all Australians by:

• Addressing commercially-relevant security issues affecting the continued uptake of Internet commerce;
• Focusing on research into fraud and associated illegal activity in the Internet commerce sector;
• Enhancing the knowledge and tools available for the development of simple, safe and secure environments to support the continued uptake of Internet commerce and identity management; and
• Building a state and National capability to tackle security problems in Internet commerce.

The project was jointly launched in October 2007 by UB’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor David Battersby, The Honourable Theo Theophanous, Victoria’s Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Mr David Backley, Chief Technology Officer, Westpac Banking Corporation and Mr Peter Campbell, General Manager, IBM Global Technology Services.

Director of ICSL Appointed

Since the publication of the above article the University of Ballarat has announced the appointment of Dr Paul Watters, Associate Professor in Information Security and Director of ICSL (Internet Commerce Security Laboratory). Paul was previously an Associate Professor at Macquarie University and head of a Cybercrime centre there which partnered the National Australia Bank. Paul is currently working in London and is in charge of a Medical Records research laboratory. He brings enormous relevant experience to the University and ITMS. Paul is due to begin his new position in early April.