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June 12, 2008

>> C-GCC GRADS TO IMPACT COMPUTER SAFETY

$Lukas Weisner, one of the first graduates of the college\'s new computer security and forensic$

Lukas Weisner, one of the first graduates of Columbia-Greene Community College's new computer security and forensics program. Weisner and the CSF program are also featured in a story in Community College Times (http://www.communitycollegetimes.com/article.cfm?ArticleId=1008).

Two Columbia-Greene Community College graduates will make the computer world a little bit safer.

Lukas Weisner and Kevin Close became the first graduates of the college's newly-minted computer security and forensics program when they walked across the commencement stage May 20 at the Greenport campus. Begun in spring 2007, the program is one of few in the region.

"It was what I wanted to do right out of high school," said Weisner, "but it was such a new field it was hard to find a college that offered it."

Then, to his surprise, the very college he was already attending announced it was rolling out the specialized curriculum. Weisner, who was already enrolled in computer science at C-GCC, switched to CSF.

"I was always drawn to law enforcement, the investigative side of computer science," said Weisner, "busting bad guys."

Meanwhile, Linda Fix, who is slated to graduate in 2009, looks at the program from the computer security side. A network administrator at First Niagara, she seeks to make the bank's network all the more secure.

"It's helpful to learn about hackers and intruders and how to safeguard your network," said Fix, who already has a C-GCC degree in computer information systems. "That's valuable information to take back and share with others in my department."

Close, who also earned a previous C-GCC degree, in individual studies, enrolled in the CSF program to deepen both his interests and academic credentials. His interests include history, criminal justice and computer science, and he plans on rolling them into his career plans.

"It sure was an interesting program," said Close. "It was a good idea to introduce this program to students like me who enjoy both criminal justice and computer science and information."

Close, who also earned a teaching-assistant certificate at the Greenport campus, is currently working as a substitute teacher at Ichabod Crane. He plans on teaching a computer-based course in the future and may seek a job in the computer security field along the way.

The 63-credit program is a joint effort of the college's criminal justice and computer science departments. The CSF degree was developed to address the growing local need to secure computer networks and to investigate computer-related crime.

With threats to computer networks from much-publicized viruses and hackers on the rise, companies are increasingly seeking workers skilled in network security. The security need exists for businesses of all sizes on both a national and local level.

"Local companies recognize the need for graduates with these skills," said Phyllis Carito, vice president and dean of academic affairs. "We're excited to see our criminal justice and computer science curricula expand to address this area.

"The investigative side of computer-related crime, known as computer forensics, is an attendant part of the growing computer-security field."

"Computer forensics is one of the fastest growing fields within information technology," said William DeLuca, criminal justice instructor, "and there is a shortage of qualified, competent technicians."

C-GCC's CSF program is distinguished by its practical, hands-on approach. To accomplish the task, the department includes such law enforcement veterans as DeLuca, a retired Catskill Police Department lieutenant, and state Police Lieutenant Fabio Auffant.

A 22-year veteran of the state police, Auffant is a technical lieutenant in the Computer Crime Unit of the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation and has extensive experience as an expert witness. Consequently, he is able to provide real-world context to projects.

"It's a very exciting program," says Auffant, who credits his students for much of its success. "I was fortunate enough to have an outstanding group of students who were really eager to learn and bring forth their personal experiences and academic background and apply all that to the forensics field.

"There were a lot of light bulbs lit up. These students were saying I know how I can apply these skills and this knowledge in the business field and in the IT world."

CSF students get to practice what is preached in the classroom. In a project in the Network Security class - taught by Clint Mossman and Joe Scampoli -- students surveyed the security level of a local organization and recommended improvements.

"The computer forensics student," said Scampoli, "sees that today's crime scene is likely to be the computer on the desk not just the body on the floor. The stuff on CSI is true, albeit glorified."

CSF students can choose a variety of paths. They can go into law enforcement, like Weisner, or work on the business side of the field making networks safer, like Fix.

Students interested in law enforcement careers can go on for a baccalaureate degree. They will also need professional certifications along the way.

Certification in EnCase software is vital, for example, according to Auffant. EnCase has provided a basis for such criminal investigations as the BTK murders and the Scott Peterson case. It has also been used in such corporate cases as Enron and Worldcom.

Whichever path they choose, CSF students look forward to a bright future in the computer security and forensics fields.

"It's gratifying to see students succeed," said Scampoli, "to see the program develop in a field that will continue to grow. And what's more, the students find it interesting."

"That final exam was fun," said Fix. "Nobody wanted the class to end; we were having a great time.

"It's nice to learn from teachers like Auffant who do this everyday. That is a real plus. The professors at this college put a lot of effort into these classes. They're very dedicated, and that's important."

Mossman, associate professor of computer science, was instrumental in the development of the CSF program.

For more information on the CSF program at C-GCC, call the Admissions Office at (518) 828-4181, extension 5513, e-mail info@mycommunitycollege.com or visit the college online at www.mycommunitycollege.com.

Revised Classes, Scheduling Highlight Fall Semester

The upcoming fall semester at Columbia-Greene Community College features upgraded courses and scheduling.

The courses Computer and Informatics Science I and Computer Science II have been revamped to...