REU SITE: Enhancing Undergraduate Research Experiences in Cybersecurity and Privacy-Enhanced Technologies

由于安全的软件和值得信赖的网络空间对于对抗多样化的威胁至关重要，蒙特克莱尔州立大学的本科生研究体验(REU)网站专注于培训学生解决现实世界的网络安全问题，并立志成为下一代网络安全专业人员。REU网站为多样化的本科生提供了身临其境的网络安全高级主题研究体验，并参与了专业发展活动。教师导师使用亲身实践的包容性教学方法，使用最先进的网络安全工具和技术有效地培训学生。该网站将追求以下主要目标：(I)招募和吸引本科生，特别是来自代表性不足的群体的本科生，从事网络安全领域变革性的跨学科研究活动，(Ii)培训学生基本研究方法，并向学生灌输有效理解和解决问题的计算思维方法，(Iii)激发团队合作精神和自我指导学习，使他们获得独立研究的地位，并以合作的方式成功开展研究项目，(Iv)激励学生申请研究生课程并渴望在网络安全领域从事各种职业，以及(V)促进现场学生及其所在院校的丰富经验，以吸引更多新学生进入相关领域。SITE学生和合作机构将作为大使，在他们的同行中传播他们独特的研究经验，从而吸引更多的本科生参与网络安全教育和研究。这个REU网站的主要目标是通过培养一批具有身临其境的网络安全高级主题研究经验的本科生，推动蒙特克莱尔州立大学(MSU)成为下一代网络安全研究中心。该网站将为学生提供独特的机会，通过密集的研究暑期项目和从事专业发展活动来增强他们的网络安全知识和技能。REU项目培训妇女和代表性不足的少数群体，主要来自STEM领域研究机会有限的机构。鉴于网络安全劳动力的稀缺，该网站将为发展更多元化的网络安全劳动力的日益增长的努力做出贡献。该网站将：(I)吸引多样化的学生参与网络安全三大子领域的前沿研究项目，即密码协议、网络安全的机器学习和安全软件开发的人的方面；(Ii)向学生展示科学研究技能和丰富的网络安全知识，增强他们对网络安全研发的创新能力和信心；以及(Iii)与网站学生建立可持续的导师关系，并培养他们申请相关领域高级学位的强烈愿望。该网站将创造一个充满活力的网络安全学习环境，包括有趣的小组讨论、每周研讨会、海报演示和行业访问，以培养学生对网络安全研究的热情。这个奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，通过使用基金会的学术价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为是值得支持的。

As secure software and trustworthy cyberspace are vital to combat diversified threats, this Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site at Montclair State University focuses on training students to solve real-world cybersecurity problems and aspires them to be the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. The REU site provides a diversified group of undergraduate students with immersive research experiences on advanced topics in cybersecurity and engaging professional development activities. Faculty mentors use a hands-on, inclusive teaching approach to effectively train students using state-of-the-art cybersecurity tools and techniques. The Site will pursue the following primary objectives: (i) recruit and engage undergraduate students, especially those from underrepresented groups, on transformative interdisciplinary research activities in cybersecurity, (ii) train the students on fundamental research methodologies and instill a computational thinking approach to understand and solve problems effectively, (iii) stimulate teamwork spirit as well as self-directed learning that lead them to research-independent status and successfully work on research projects in a collaborative manner, (iv) motivate students to apply for graduate programs and aspire for a variety of careers in cybersecurity, and (v) promote the rich experiences of the Site students and their home institutions to attract more new students into the related fields. The Site students and the partnering institutions will act as ambassadors to disseminate their unique research experiences among their peers which can attract more undergraduate students into cybersecurity education and research.The main goal of this REU Site is to promote Montclair State University (MSU) as the next-generation Cybersecurity research hub by nurturing a diversified group of undergraduate students with immersive research experiences on advanced topics in Cybersecurity. The Site will provide unique opportunities for students to invigorate their Cybersecurity knowledge and skills with research-intensive summer projects and engaging professional development activities. The REU project trains women and underrepresented minorities predominantly from institutions where research opportunities in STEM fields are limited. Given the scarcity of cybersecurity workforce, the Site will contribute to the growing efforts of developing a more diversified cybersecurity workforce. The Site will: (i) engage a diversified pool of students in cutting-edge research projects in three major subareas of cybersecurity, namely cryptographic protocols, machine learning for cybersecurity and human aspects of secure software development, (ii) expose students to scientific research skills and rich cybersecurity knowledge that increase their creative capacity and confidence in cybersecurity R&D, and (iii) establish sustainable mentor relationship with the Site students and cultivate a strong desire to apply for advanced degrees in the related fields. The Site will create a vibrant cybersecurity learning environment that encompasses interesting group discussions, weekly seminars, poster presentations and industry visits that foster students’ passion for cybersecurity research. It will also open up new opportunities for participating students in academia, industry and government that would not otherwise be possible at their home institutions.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.