information technology

Information technology students stepped up to secure Virginia’s elections

Teresa Donnellan — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 14:19:47 +0000

Information technology students stepped up to secure Virginia’s elections Teresa Donnellan Wed, 08/28/2024 - 10:19

Secure elections are the cornerstone of democracy, and the Virginia Cyber Navigator Internship Program (VA-CNIP) has equipped students with the skills to strengthen the cybersecurity posture of election infrastructures. As an intern last summer, information technology (IT) major Duong Thuy Nguyen helped secure a rural county's technology for the upcoming presidential election alongside two other George Mason students, Maha Khan and Sophie Bates.

Sponsored by the National Security Agency (NSA) and run by the University of Virginia (UVA) and other five Virginia universities including George Mason, VA-CNIP was developed to address the need for improved election security in localities that may not have the resources to implement necessary cybersecurity measures.

Nguyen, who is pursuing a dual concentration in database technology and programming and cyber security, traveled to Campbell County for a few days each week over the summer to support the county’s dedicated and hard-working IT staff in complying with the Locality Election Security Standards (LESS) required by the Commonwealth of Virginia. The LESS requirements are designed to ensure that all localities, regardless of size, have baseline cybersecurity measures in place, with further goals to achieve "preferred" or "premium" levels of security. The program thus not only prepared students for future careers but also left a lasting impact on the local governments they serve.

From left to right, Albanese, Hicks, and Nguyen with two other VA-CNIP interns. Photo provided.

George Mason Associate Professor Max Albanese helped lead VA-CNIP, designing a course in election security that was a prerequisite for all interns. In addition to the course, a two-day boot camp at UVA provided interns with training, including hands-on activities and talks from high profile industry experts and election officials. This year United States Election Assistance Commissioner Thomas Hicks spoke at the boot camp.

“Especially this year, the focus was on trying to send interns to localities that were in most need of upgrading their security posture,” said Albanese, “and that means the more rural or less technologically advanced counties.”

Each week, students worked remotely for part of their assignments but also traveled to their assigned localities for on-site work. Due to the often-rural nature of the counties involved, VA-CNIP provided a $3,000 travel allowance to each intern in addition to their $9,000 stipend. This allowed students to travel long distances and, when necessary, stay overnight in nearby towns to avoid lengthy commutes. The George Mason interns this year traveled about four hours one way to reach Campbell County.

Nguyen in Campbell County. Photo provided.

Nguyen noted how rewarding it was to work in-person with the local IT department. Her tasks included developing security policies, conducting research on cybersecurity tools, and even designing tabletop exercises to prepare local officials for possible cyber incidents on election day. Nguyen raved about her internship, which was her first. Even though she had to travel a lot, she said, she would not change her experience.

“They were all very welcoming, and they gave us all the support that we needed,” she said.

VA-CNIP exemplifies the power of academia, government, and students working together to tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time—ensuring the security and integrity of democratic processes. While funding for VA-CNIP ends this year, there are ongoing discussions about sustaining the program going forward.

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Commonwealth Cyber Initiative’s Cybersecurity Traineeship launches careers in cybersecurity

Teresa Donnellan — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 03:36:28 +0000

Commonwealth Cyber Initiative’s Cybersecurity Traineeship launches careers in cybersecurity Teresa Donnellan Mon, 02/12/2024 - 22:36

The Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Northern Virginia Node (CCI NoVa Node) is preparing for the third iteration of its Cybersecurity Traineeship Program, which offers a seven-week course to Northern Virginia residents interested in pivoting into the cybersecurity sector followed by career support from ��AV and Northern Virginia Community College professionals.

CCI NoVa Node's region is outlined in light blue.

Course Beginnings

The program’s intensive, full-time course curriculum familiarizes trainees with subjects relevant to Information Technology and cybersecurity, such as Python, database design, SPLUNK, and AWS. Trainees attend class all day and complete homework assignments outside of class.

Keyvon Riley, Aaron Hornbuckle, and Walter WIlliams, members of the program’s first cohort, credit the program with launching their careers in tech.

“The course days go by really quickly, so practicing is important,” said Riley. “The workload was very fair and needed in order to learn as much as a person can in the allotted time.”

“Through a fast-paced learning environment, we were introduced to many concepts, processes, and tools that would be useful and relevant to entering this new environment,” said Hornbuckle. “It also prepared me by showing me how much there is to know and learn in this field, which continuously expands the longer I've worked in the industry.”

Williams said the program exceeded his expectations: "Despite my initial nervousness due to a lack of industry understanding, I left feeling equipped with a solid foundation of cybersecurity knowledge."

Scott Wood, the associate director of IT and Business Programs at Northern Virginia Community College, who designs the course curriculum each year, adapts the course to the shifting needs of the tech sector by consulting industry partners. Next year, Wood will also incorporating guidelines set forth in “National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy,” a 2023 report from the White House.

“In addition to assessing technical skills, trainees are evaluated on participation, curiosity, creativity, communication, collaboration, and professionalism,” said Wood. “I’ve been amazed at the level of dedication and commitment from trainees in both iterations of the program. The program runs June through August, when most people are thinking about summer vacations and outdoor activities. The trainees in both programs really put in the work. They didn’t just show up for class. They took an active role in learning the skills and remained engaged throughout the seven-week program.”

Time for Internships

After completing the course, high performers in the program are placed in full-time internship roles with tech companies in Northern Virginia. Riley, Hornbuckle, and Williams each completed internships with Peraton before being offered full-time positions at the company. Riley and Hornbuckle are now cyber security systems engineers, and Williams is a UX/UI designer.

"It was an honor to gain on-the-job cybersecurity experience," Williams said. "My internship provided opportunities to shadow projects, contribute to use case development, and apply my UX/UI design skills in unexpected ways."

Riley noted that behind his success was a significant amount of work. For example, between his internship and starting his formal start date at Peraton, Riley became CompTIA Security+ certified.

“My industry landing did and still does surprise me, because cybersecurity is not for beginners,” Riley explained. “Most cybersecurity [workforce] members have five years or more in the IT field before landing a cyber role. I did not know that when I landed my role and thus had a hard time grasping the level of IT I entered into. Nevertheless, I hit the ground running and would not change it.”

Moving in New Directions

Riley will begin a master’s in information technology in the fall. “I have made the most of every opportunity since the traineeship, and it has led to my success today,” he said. “My future in tech is bright!”

Hornbuckle echoed Riley's sentiments, emphasizing the program's role in facilitating a smooth transition into his role. The program's emphasis on continuous learning resonated strongly with Hornbuckle, who noted the ever-evolving nature of the tech landscape and the importance of staying abreast of emerging trends.

A former fine arts teacher, Williams' transition into a UX/UI designer underscores the program's role as a pathway to career reinvention. "The program has undoubtedly led me to a rewarding career in tech/cybersecurity," he said, adding, "I was surprised by the opportunity to utilize my UX/UI design skills within cybersecurity. This fusion of disciplines reflects the dynamic nature of the field and the endless possibilities for professional growth."

With a curriculum designed in collaboration with industry experts and with a commitment to continuous improvement, CCI NoVa Node’s Cybersecurity Traineeship Program offers individuals seeking to break into the cybersecurity and IT sectors skills, confidence, and resources to embark on rewarding careers in technology.

“CCI created a great way to give new opportunities to those wanting a career change into cybersecurity,” said Riley. “I will always be grateful I was one of the first people to have successfully completed this program."

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Mason students refurbish donated laptops for community members

Colleen Rich — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 17:07:57 +0000

Mason students refurbish donated laptops for community members Colleen Rich Mon, 08/15/2022 - 13:07

Some Northern Virginia families will have free laptops in time for classes this fall, thanks to an enterprising group of ��AV information technology students.

On Saturday, August 13, the VA STAR student group turned over 20 refurbished laptops to Arlington nonprofits for distribution. Photo courtesy of IDIA

The students—seniors Judy Yang, Dennis Amoah, and Sital Luitel—have been refurbishing more than 20 used laptops, donated through the Virginia Student Training and Refurbishment Program (VA STAR), and preparing them for their new owners.

Senior Judy Yang started the student group that refurbished the laptops. Photo by Cristian Torres/Strategic Communications

On Saturday, August 13, the laptops were given to representatives from the Arlington nonprofits Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing, American Legion Post 139, Bridges to Independence, Doorways, and PathForward, who will place them with their new owners.

The program, which is sponsored by Mason’s Institute for Digital Innovation and the Institute for a Sustainable Earth, was started by Yang, who has been doing this kind of work since elementary school. She began working on computers through the GEMS (Girls Excelling in Math and Science) Club while attending Herndon Elementary School and never stopped. She has wanted to establish a VA STAR group at Mason since she was a freshman.

Yang’s favorite part of the computer repair work is the opportunity to give back to the community.

“I enjoy seeing students and their families get the resources they need,” she said. “These computers will enable them to do so many things online, from getting assignments done to applying for jobs.”

She said she hopes that the laptops also provide some stress relief for recipients, acknowledging that many families struggle to pay for technology.

Yang and her colleagues have been working on the laptops in the Mason Innovation Exchange (MIX) makerspace in Horizon Hall, which has the tools they require and space to work.

Dennis Amoah. Photo provided

Luitel was new to computer repair work and said she “learned a ton” while working with the VA STAR group. “It is a very gratifying experience to be able to help others while also bettering my own skills and learning more about the technology field,” she said.

Amoah said he joined the program because he wanted to learn more about computer repair. “I thought it would be cool to learn how to fix my own computers and replace any broken parts whenever it breaks,” he said.

He was surprised at how many computers the three of them were able refurbish.

Yang plans to continue the program in the fall semester and hopes to recruit more volunteers to work on the donated laptops.

Sital Luitel. Photo provided

Volunteers can gain a hands-on experience with computers, and the opportunity can expose them to concepts that could come in handy as they prepare for their careers, Yang said. And students don’t need to be information technology majors to participate in the program.

Niki Vlastara, an assistant professor of marketing in Mason’s School of Business, served as a mentor to VA STAR group, and Toni Andrews, senior associate director in the university’s Office of Community and Local Government Relations, helped connect them with area nonprofits interested in placing the laptops.

“Mason students are passionate about using their skills to give back to others, and this is just one of several efforts to build strong ties with the Arlington community,” said Kamaljeet Sanghera, IDIA executive director. “We are excited and looking forward to many more initiatives in the coming years.”

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Retro Mason: World Congress on Information Technology 1998

Colleen Rich — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 17:01:35 +0000

Retro Mason: World Congress on Information Technology 1998 Colleen Rich Wed, 06/29/2022 - 13:01

See More Retro Mason

��AV was the first university to host the World Congress on Information Technology in June 21-24, 1998. The event, organized with sponsor World Information Technology and Services Alliance, drew top industry leaders from more than 23 countries. Former Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and publisher Steven Forbes of Forbes magazine served keynote speakers for the event.

Learn more about the event here.

Photo credit: Neil Adams/��AV

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Stepping onto a different path

Rena Malai — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 16:51:18 +0000

Stepping onto a different path Rena Malai Mon, 06/13/2022 - 12:51

Britney Aiken, recent information technology grad, comes from a family where everyone works in healthcare.

Although she thought about following suit, Aiken knew she wanted a different path. She says she loved math in high school and wanted to do something in the field of engineering once she reached college. Her mom picked up on her daughter’s tech abilities early on, and Aiken attended Academies of Loudoun, a STEM program for high school students in Loudoun County, Va.

“As far as I can remember, I was always drawn to technology,” says Aiken. “I chose to pursue information technology in higher education because I wanted a well-rounded perspective. Computer science is a popular way to go, but IT covers everything- cloud computing, cybersecurity, computer networking, web development, programing, and more.”

Aiken says joining the Break Through Tech DC program at George Mason allowed her to be surrounded by like -minded people who are just as intrigued and interested in engineering as she is.

“As a Break Through Tech student peer leader and a Mason ambassador, people ask me about the difficulty level of engineering, is it too hard to do,” says Aiken. “The best thing to set yourself up for success is to join a community like Break Through Tech and talk with professors and advisors. Don’t be afraid to put your brand out there early.”

Setting a good example for future STEM grads is a motivating factor for Aiken, who will be working at Amazon full time after interning for the tech magnate last summer in Denver. She’s excited to be part of a change that will hopefully encourage more women into STEM careers.

“I took an engineering class in high school and I was the only girl,” says Aiken. “I want more women to join this field. There is nothing we can’t achieve.”

She may have broken the mold for one of her sisters, who might join sibling rank by also pursuing STEM.

“I feel like I’m definitely more aware now that other people are watching me, not in a bad way but it makes me want to set a good example in the way I interact with people and face challenges, whether it’s related to engineering or just life,” says Aiken. “I just want to set a good example for my sisters, and other students around me.”

About Break Through Tech 

Break Through Tech works at the intersection of academia and industry to propel more women and underrepresented communities into technology degrees and careers. BTT DC is the first cross-institutional collaboration, partnering with Mason and the University of Maryland. 

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Break Through Tech at Mason hosts inaugural on-campus event

Rena Malai — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 19:40:58 +0000

Break Through Tech at Mason hosts inaugural on-campus event Rena Malai Tue, 10/19/2021 - 15:40

Break Through Tech at Mason will host its first on-campus event, run by student peer leaders. This event is an opportunity to learn more about the Break Through Tech program, network with other students interested in tech and computing, and get some free candy.

When: Monday, October 25 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Where: Nguyen Engineering Building Room 2901

Break Through Tech DC is a part of a national program that aims to develop inclusive tech hubs to accelerate the representation and leadership of women in tech.

For more information about the on-campus event, email Andrea Motas

More information on Break Through Tech DC can be viewed here.

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Mason awarded grant to further diversify D.C. region’s tech ecosystem

Martha Bushong — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 16:41:48 +0000

Mason awarded grant to further diversify D.C. region’s tech ecosystem Martha Bushong Mon, 03/01/2021 - 11:41

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��AV announced today a grant from Break Through Tech to propel more students who identify as women and non-binary into tech education—and ultimately tech careers—through curriculum innovation, career access, and community building. The goal of the grant is to increase the number of these students graduating with a tech degree at Mason by 12.5 percentage points by 2026.

"Computer science is a growing and lucrative field, yet less than 20% of computer science degrees in this country are awarded to women," Mason President Gregory Washington said. "George Mason is the largest producer of tech talent in Virginia, and this partnership with Break Through Tech will provide additional opportunities for women to excel in computer science, broadening the capabilities of the digital workforce."

��AV and the University of Maryland will be joining Break Through Tech as it expands from its hubs in New York City and Chicago to Washington, D.C. This expansion was made possible through the Gender Equality in Tech (GET) Cities initiative, which is led by a $50 million investment from Pivotal Ventures, the investment and incubation company created by Melinda Gates, as well as an additional $7 million investment from Cognizant U.S. Foundation and Verizon. Mason’s Break Through Tech program will be administered by the Volgenau School of Engineering, the proposed School of Computing and the Departments of Computer Science and Information Sciences and Technology.

“Receiving the grant from Break Through Tech will provide a tremendous boost to the Departments of Computer Science and Information Sciences and Technology’s efforts to broaden participation in computing,” says Sanjeev Setia, division dean for the proposed School of Computing. “Not only does the grant provide funding for several initiatives that seek to increase the proportion of women students in our programs, but the Break Through Tech team has pioneered several initiatives that have been successful at other universities, and we are keen to learn from their experiences.”

Mason’s Break Through Tech program will include:

A summer program for rising first-year students designed to ignite interest in tech by teaching them how to code real-world applications that are mission-driven;
New, innovative introductory sequence of computing courses;
A paid, three-week mini-internship program called a “Sprinternship®” that gives first- and second-year students a resume credential and real-world experience to make them more competitive when applying for a paid summer tech internship; and
The development of a networked cohort of individuals who identify as women and non-binary—both peer-to-peer and student-to-professional—in the D.C. metro area to support, engage and motivate one another.

Huzefa Rangwala, professor in the Department of Computer Science and principal investigator for the grant, says, “Using data analytics to ensure college student success has been the cornerstone of my research for the past six years. I am thrilled to collaborate on this grant with several colleagues at Mason to narrow the gender gap in computing by innovating across the curriculum, establishing career pathways, and building an inclusive environment.”

In Break Through Tech’s founding city, Cornell Tech partnered with the City University of New York (CUNY), which saw an increase in the number of women pursuing computer science degrees by 61 percent since Break Through Tech New York launched in 2016.

“The field of computer science would not have achieved the widespread success and impact it enjoys today without the critical contributions of women scientists and engineers,” says David Rosenblum, chair of the Computer Science Department at Mason. “Our partnership with Break Through Tech gives us the opportunity to work on overcoming the barriers that female students experience in STEM disciplines, so that we can attract and educate a new generation of women graduates who will play a critical role in shaping the future of computer science.”

The combination of the current economic crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, along with the national awareness of COVID’s outsized impact across gender, race and other underrepresented identities in society, makes this a critical time to scale a movement toward equity in tech—an industry with the growth potential to support the kind of economic empowerment that should be available to everyone.

“GET DC will impact an emerging tech hub that’s bustling with opportunity for women and underrepresented groups in an industry that continues to trend majority male and white,” said Judith Spitz, founder and executive director at Break Through Tech. “Break Through Tech will work towards tackling two key hurdles for women—access and experience.”

About Break Through Tech

Launched at Cornell Tech, with support from Pivotal Ventures, Cognizant U.S. Foundation, and Verizon, Break Through Tech provides curriculum innovation, career access, and community building for women in tech. The program originated in 2016 as a program called Women in Technology & Entrepreneurship New York (WiTNY), created at Cornell Tech in partnership with the City University of New York (CUNY) and a broad set of industry partners. Now Break Through Tech is replicating the highly effective ecosystem model originated in New York City to increase women’s representation in computing graduates across the United States. To date, the program is in New York City, Chicago, and the DC Metro Area.

About the Department of Computer Science

The Department of Computer Science has 46 tenured and tenure-track faculty and 15 teaching-track faculty with wide-ranging research interests, and strong research groups in cybersecurity, systems and networks, machine learning and data mining, artificial intelligence and software engineering. The department has seen a substantial increase in computer science majors as enrollment has grown from 550 undergraduates in 2012 to nearly 2,000 today. The department has more than 130 PhD students and more than 350 graduate students enrolled in four MS programs. The department has $14.5 million in annual research expenditures, 18 recipients of the prestigious CAREER/Young Investigator Awards, four IEEE Fellows, and two ACM Fellows.

About the Department of Information Sciences and Technology

The Department of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) has 27 full-time faculty members with research foci in cybersecurity, data mining and machine learning, natural language processing, human-centered computing, and computing and engineering education. IST has the largest and fastest-growing undergraduate major in the university, the BS in Information Technology (ABET-accredited), serving more than 1,700 students. Also available fully online, the BS program consistently ranks among the top 20 online programs in the United States. Additionally, Mason is ranked as the number 1 top Computer Science and IT College in Virginia according to the Computer Training Schools website. The department has about 200 graduate students in the MS in Applied Information Technology (AIT) program, ranking consistently in the top 25 online MS in Information Technology programs in the country according to the U.S. News and World Report. In addition to BS and MS programs, the department also participates in an interdisciplinary MS program in Data Analytics Engineering and offers an Information Technology concentration in the School-wide PhD program in Information Technology.

In conjunction with Amazon’s decision to establish a second headquarters in Northern Virginia, the Commonwealth of Virginia announced a multi-year plan to invest in the growth of degree programs in computing, and ��AV has committed to accelerating its plans to grow its capacity in computer science and related disciplines.

Graduation Profile: A change of plans while at Mason worked wonders for Obum Egolum

John Hollis — Tue, 19 May 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Graduation Profile: A change of plans while at Mason worked wonders for Obum Egolum John Hollis Tue, 05/19/2020 - 05:00

His Mason education was made for the tech industry

Damian Cristodero — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 09:30:00 +0000

His Mason education was made for the tech industry Damian Cristodero Sat, 09/21/2019 - 05:30

George Mason to support Amazon with large-scale expansion of Arlington Campus

Melanie Balog — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 16:06:05 +0000

George Mason to support Amazon with large-scale expansion of Arlington Campus Melanie Balog Tue, 11/13/2018 - 11:06

information technology

Information technology students stepped up to secure Virginia’s elections

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Commonwealth Cyber Initiative’s Cybersecurity Traineeship launches careers in cybersecurity

Course Beginnings

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Moving in New Directions

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Mason students refurbish donated laptops for community members

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Retro Mason: World Congress on Information Technology 1998

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Break Through Tech at Mason hosts inaugural on-campus event

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Mason awarded grant to further diversify D.C. region’s tech ecosystem

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Graduation Profile: A change of plans while at Mason worked wonders for Obum Egolum

His Mason education was made for the tech industry

George Mason to support Amazon with large-scale expansion of Arlington Campus