Winter 2011/2012 - Tiffin University

School of Criminal Justice & Social Sciences News‘Hackademic Challenge’Tiffin University students enrolled inthe university’s new Cyber-Defense &Information Security major participatedin the first “Hackademic Challenge” inOctober in Cleveland.The challenge included teams fromfour colleges and universities and waspart of the 2011 Information SecuritySummit.The Tiffin University students whotook part in the challenge were RoshanPatel and Justin Durham, both of whomare enrolled in the new Cyber-Defensemajor, which is offered through TU’sSchool of Criminal Justice.According to Professor ScottBlough, this new hacker’s challenge ispart of TU’s commitment to preparingthe next generation of cyber defenders.Hackers’ challenges are designedto allow participants to test their skillsand knowledge by attacking (or “hacking”)into a live network. The exerciseis done in a lab setting and the networkis specifically designed for the exercise.Participants use their own computersand connect to the lab network. After abrief overview of the rules, participantsattempt to penetrate the network andgain information.Both Patel and Durham noted thehands-on experience and networkingopportunities with professionals fromthe information security field as valuableto their long-term career goals.“I had never done any practicalhacking of systems, since it’s illegal, sogetting the chance to learn the differencesbetween the concept of how toEnvironmentally Friendly CampusTU’s Student Government has assembled a task force towork toward a more environmentally friendly campus.Their goal is to develop initiatives, evaluate theplausibility of the initiatives, lobby for them in the StudentSenate, and create an action plan for their implementationand campus awareness.Student Government President Jonathan Allen has numerousideas, such as creating a student-run, campus-widerecycling program for aluminum, paper, plastic, and glass;use recycled paper in printers,; harness solar energy withpanels on buildings; change bathroom faucets and handdryers; and reward those who contribute.“I’m confident the task force will propose initiativesthat the entire TU community will appreciate,” Allen said.According to Allen, StuGov has been working withthe Office of Residence Life to implement recycling in theresidence halls. They will be making more connections withstaff to ensure that the program is put into practice everywhereon campus.“Our first goal is to extend the amount of recyclingbaskets in all residence halls,” said Nathan Strickland, taskforce member. “We feel that this is one task that can bedone immediately and would benefit not only Tiffin Universitybut the Tiffin community as well.”Last April, TU was a recipient of a $4,000 grant fromOttawa-Sandusky-Seneca County Joint Solid Waste ManagementDistrict to expand the on-campus recycling program.The TU Green Committee and administrators are incharge of how the grant money is being used on campus.“The TU Green Committee welcomes any studentinvolvement from the student government task force,” saidDr. Erin Dean, Green Committee Chair. “The grant moneyhas been used to purchase recycling containers and materialsto recycle glass, cans, and plastic bottles. Tiffin University’sown contribution also helped pay for supplies and astudent worker to empty recycling containers throughoutthe campus.”16 | WINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE