Sharjah, Wednesday, January 22, 2013-- American University of Sharjah, (AUS) began its Fourth Cyber Security Boot Camp yesterday, January 21, to help computer users learn about security awareness. The three-day camp, intended for general computer users, including students and professionals, who are looking to expand their knowledge in computer and network security, was conducted by Dr. Fadi Ahmed Aloul, the camp organizer and Associate Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at the AUS College of Engineering.

The idea behind the camp was to enable computer users to expand their awareness in computer and network security. Attendees at the camp learned about the latest cyber security threats and attacks they could face at home or the office, methods to protect themselves from being hacked and ways of dealing with being hacked. The boot camp included lectures, live demonstrations, real-world examples and interactive hands-on exercises. 
 
Topics addressed in the boot camp included hacker types, goals, motivations and targets; challenges of securing information; password security and encryption; network security and viruses, worms and trojans; wireless and mobile security; social engineering and identity theft; web security and phishing attacks; physical security; email security and spam; social media security, and how to use the Internet safely.

"Hackers today are increasingly targeting the weakest link, the human, via various social engineering tactics," said Dr. Aloul. "Furthermore, the advances in technology and Internet today are making almost everyone carry a smartphone that works as a mini computer, that is always connected online, and stores lots of personal data including contacts, pictures, emails, passwords and files. Such smart devices are being used for work and personal activities, yet can be easily hacked if not used carefully. New intelligent threats are emerging every day against such users. Therefore, it is very important to 'continuously' educate any computer user on what are the latest threats and attacks and methods of protecting yourself."  
 
Participating professionals included representatives from AUS, Thuraya, Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), Exponentia, Electrical Lighting Company, Dubai Maritime City Authority, Dubai Health Authority, Commercial Bank of Dubai, Abu Dhabi Police and Abu Dhabi Distribution Company. 
 
Abu Dhabi Police Captain Nasser Al Dhaheri, who works in Abu Dhabi Police's IT sector, said that such camps are essential to his line of work because they "have to be up to date with new technologies."

"These workshops are very important. Even if they only last for two or three days, you will learn a lot," he remarked, adding that people must be aware from personal security breaches and learn how to protect themselves from hackers.

Echoing Captain Al Dhaheri's concerns for security, Taha Ozkul, a chemical engineering senior at AUS, said, "Security is an important factor in today's world; everyone uses electronics and smartphones, so we should learn how to be protective and take care of security threats."

"I joined this workshop because I want to learn how to protect myself and think it is interesting and personally helpful," he said. "Learning about cyber security is something everyone should do to self-improve."

All participants that completed the camp received certificates of attendance from AUS.

For more information, please contact:
Miriam Kiwan 
Director of Strategic Communications and Media
mkiwan@aus.edu

Nazzal Yousef
Director of Media Relations
+971 6 515 2157
nyousuf@aus.edu

About AUS
American University of Sharjah (AUS) was founded in 1997 by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. The university was envisaged by His Highness as a leading educational institution in the Gulf region. Located in University City, Sharjah, AUS is a not-for-profit, independent, institution of higher education formed on the American model. 

It offers 26 majors and 53 minors at the undergraduate level, and 14 master's degrees through the College of Architecture, Art and Design; the College of Arts and Sciences; the College of Engineering; and the School of Business and Management. These programs are designed to meet the challenges of a competitive and dynamic business and industrial environment.  

As a provider of quality higher education in the Gulf, AUS is licensed and its programs are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the United Arab Emirates. AUS is accredited in the United States of America by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.  

The bachelor of science degree programs in chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering offered by the College of Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (www.abet.org). The bachelor of science degree program in computer science offered by the College of Engineering is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET (www.abet.org). The Bachelor of Architecture program of the College of Architecture, Art and Design is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) of the United States. The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) as well as the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) degrees offered by the School of Business and Management are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

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