Name: Jagadish Dammala

Semester of Internship: Summer 2023

Major: Cyber security

Current Class Level: Master's Student

This semester I completed a(n)...: Internship

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): Maryland Department Of Information and Technology

Location of the Organization (City, State): Crownsville, Maryland

Title of position: Cyber Operations Analyst Intern

Monitoring and Analysis: I closely monitored security alerts generated by the Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system. This involved reviewing logs and data to identify potential security threats.

Triage Analysis: I conducted triage analysis on these security alerts to determine their validity. It was important to distinguish between real security threats and false positives to ensure efficient resource allocation.

Collaboration: I worked closely with senior technicians and members of the security team to investigate and escalate potential security threats. Effective collaboration was crucial in responding to security incidents promptly.

Incident Response: I assisted in implementing containment, eradication, and recovery measures in the event of security incidents. This often required quick and decisive action to minimize the impact of security breaches.

Monitoring and Alert Response: In addition to SIEM, I also monitored and responded to events and alerts from various other security monitoring tools, ensuring a comprehensive approach to security.

I applied through Handshake and received an email from Mr. Donnie Green stating that my resume got shortlisted and scheduled an interview. I cleared the interview and received the offer.

UMBC Career Center, Handshake, LinkedIn or other social media

In my position within the organization, what I've enjoyed the most is the opportunity to actively contribute to the organization's cybersecurity efforts. Monitoring and analyzing security alerts provided a real sense of purpose as I worked to identify and address potential threats, and collaborating with experienced technicians allowed me to learn from seasoned professionals. The dynamic nature of incident response and the need for quick thinking and decisive action made each day engaging and intellectually stimulating. Additionally, the organization's commitment to continuous learning and professional growth in cybersecurity aligned perfectly with my own aspirations, fostering a supportive and growth-oriented work environment that I found highly rewarding.

Through my work, I believe I have made a significant impact by enhancing the organization's overall cybersecurity posture. By monitoring and analyzing security alerts, I helped identify and respond to potential threats promptly, reducing the risk of security breaches. My contributions to incident response and containment measures aided in minimizing the impact of security incidents, thereby safeguarding critical assets and data. Additionally, my involvement in updating incident response procedures and security documentation improved the organization's preparedness to handle future security challenges, leaving a lasting positive impact on its security resilience.

I would advise aspiring interns to be proactive and strategic in their search. Start early, research organizations that align with your interests and career goals, and tailor your applications to each position. Networking and attending career fairs can open doors to opportunities. During interviews, emphasize your enthusiasm for learning and your willingness to take on responsibilities. Once you secure an internship, approach it with a strong work ethic, open-mindedness, and a commitment to learning, as this will not only benefit your professional growth but also make a positive impression on your colleagues and supervisors.

While my internship provided valuable hands-on experience, what I liked most was the sense of purpose and contribution to a meaningful cause. It wasn't just about earning credits or a paycheck; it was about actively participating in the organization's cybersecurity efforts and working alongside dedicated professionals who were passionate about safeguarding digital assets and information.

DON'T DELAY in exploring and/or sharing!

Congratulations to  CBEE  Ph.D. Candidates Matthew Stromberg, Jada Damond, Walker Huso, Zach Sheffield, who celebrated achieving PhD Candidacy at the Graduate School at UMBC's Candidacy Ceremony on November 3, 2023. 

Risk analysis can play a large role in helping policy makers, system owners, security experts, and designers improve cyber security by providing insights into the most likely systems can be compromised, fail, and the potential consequences. However, many decision makers and security practitioners do not adopt or employ formal risk analysis methods that could help prioritize investments and mitigations. This talk provides an overview of formal risk analysis approaches and discusses some of the challenges in applying those methods to critical information systems and cyber infrastructure.

Jason Reinhardt is a national security systems analyst, with a focus on deterrence, strategic stability, quantitative probabilistic risk analysis methods, cyber and critical infrastructure security, and nuclear matters. He holds a PhD in risk analysis from Stanford University, where his research focused on probabilistic assessments of deterrence failure risk as a function of conflict parameters. Dr. Reinhardt currently serves as a distinguished member of technical staff at Sandia National Laboratories, where his work focuses on assessment and analysis of escalatory risk, deterrence in nuclear and cyber domains, nonproliferation, and the use of experimental wargames as analytic tools. He also researches on the development and application of risk assessment and analysis methods for critical infrastructure at a national scale. In previous roles, he managed a group of Sandia scientists and engineers that focused on technical studies to guide policy and decision makers across government as well as focusing on a variety of national and homeland security topics. He is also an adjunct associate professor of industrial engineering at Purdue University, where he teaches courses on deterrence and disruptive technologies, risk analysis, and systems engineering. Email: jasoncreinhardt@gmail.com

Host: Alan T. Sherman, sherman@umbc.edu. Support for this event was provided in part by the National Science Foundation under SFS grant DGE-1753681.  The UMBC Cyber Defense Lab meets biweekly Fridays 12-1pm.  All meetings are open to the public.  Upcoming CDL meetings: November 17 (1-2pm) Austin Murdoch (Sixmap); December 1, Enis Golaszewski (UMBC), Automatic cryptographic bindings; January 16-19, 2024, UMBC SFS/CySP Research Study

 

Vacancy election results are out! Here is the rest of your official 2023-2024 Executive Board.

Technical Chair ~ Kassim Chipkaou

First Year Representative ~ Addisbrhane Negussie

Thank you so much to everyone that applied, we appreciate you! We still have one more position that is still vacant--Fundraising Chair! Please message us on discord if you are interested in this position.

Name: Vidhi Panchal

Pronouns: she/her

Semester of Internship: Fall 2023 

Major: Information Systems

Current Class Level: Master's Student

This semester I completed a(n)...: Co-op

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): ACTIVEcharge

Location of the Organization (City, State): Baltimore, Maryland

Title of position: Data Analytics Intern

In my role as a Data Analyst Intern at ActiveCharge, my primary focus centers around the meticulous analysis of both weather data and wind turbine data. Our central project aims to develop a robust model for the accurate detection of faulty wind turbine blades. Here's a glimpse into a typical day in my internship:

I commence my day by ensuring that the weather and wind turbine data is not just collected but also thoroughly cleansed and prepared for in-depth analysis. This initial step is pivotal to ensure the quality and accuracy of our subsequent work.

The core of my responsibilities lies in the comprehensive exploration of the data. I engage in performing rigorous statistical analyses and craft visual representations that illuminate potential patterns and correlations, particularly with respect to turbine blade faults. This process requires a keen eye for detail and a data-driven mindset.

In my capacity as an intern, I also play a key role in keeping the team informed and updated. Regularly, I share progress reports, highlighting our achievements, and addressing any challenges or roadblocks that we may encounter. Effective communication is an essential component of our collaborative efforts.

In summary, my internship at ActiveCharge provides an exciting and engaging opportunity to immerse myself in the world of data analysis and model development, all within the context of renewable energy solutions. Each day presents new challenges and opportunities for growth, and I am delighted to contribute to a project that has the potential to make a positive impact in the field.

I discovered the opportunity for my position through an active job search during my search for a summer internship. I had been proactively networking and reaching out to various companies via email. Fortunately, I came across ActiveCharge, and it happened that they were actively looking for a Data Analyst Intern. After an initial email contact, they conducted an interview, and I was fortunate to secure the position.

UMBC Career Center, Handshake

One of the most gratifying aspects of my position and being part of this organization is the ever-changing nature of my daily tasks. Each day presents new challenges and opportunities, allowing me to continually learn and grow. This variety keeps the work engaging and exciting, and it has provided me with a broad range of experiences in a relatively short period. It's been a valuable opportunity to expand my skill set and adapt to different aspects of the data analysis field, making it a truly rewarding experience.

When seeking an internship or similar experience, my advice is to prioritize active networking by engaging with professionals and attending industry events, which can open doors to valuable connections. Be persistent in your application efforts, as rejections are common; keeping a consistent application schedule is crucial. Tailoring your applications to specific companies by conducting thorough research showcases your genuine interest. Lastly, start your internship search early to increase your chances of securing the right opportunity.

The Career Center was an invaluable resource throughout my job search. Their guidance and support helped me navigate the complex world of applications, interviews, and networking. I particularly appreciated their personalized advice and the wealth of opportunities they exposed me to. 

Whether you’ve already committed to a major or are still exploring options, this event is for YOU! At the Major Event, UMBC alumni, academic departments, and campus representatives will come together during one AWESOME week to help students gain greater confidence in their academic pathway! Students at all academic levels are welcome to attend any or all of our unique programs. 

This incredible event is being coordinated by our colleagues at the Office for Academic and Pre-Professional Advising.