Talk: MalDICT Benchmark Malware Datasets,12-1 ET Fri. Oct 6 Data on Behaviors, Platforms, Exploitation, and Packers

The UMBC Cyber Defense Lab presents

MalDICT: Benchmark Datasets on Malware Behaviors, Platforms, Exploitation, and Packers


RJ Joyce,  CSEE Department, UMBC

12-1pm ET, Friday, 6 October 2023, via WebEx

Joint work with Edward Raff, Charles Nicholas, and James Holt

Existing research on malware classification focuses almost exclusively on two tasks: distinguishing between malicious and benign files, and classifying malware by family. Malware, however, can be categorized according to many other types of attributes, and the ability to identify these attributes in newly-emerging malware using machine learning will provide significant value to analysts. In particular, we have identified four tasks which are under-represented in prior work: classification by behaviors that malware exhibit, platforms that malware run on, vulnerabilities that malware exploit, and packers that packed the malware. To obtain labels for training and evaluating ML classifiers on these tasks, we created an antivirus (AV) tagging tool called ClarAVy. ClarAVy's sophisticated AV label parser distinguishes itself from prior AV-based taggers with the ability to parse 882 different AV label formats used by 90 different AV products accurately. We are releasing benchmark datasets for each of these four classification tasks, tagged using ClarAVy and comprising nearly 5.5 million malicious files in total. Our malware behavior dataset includes 75 distinct tags -- nearly seven times more than the only prior benchmark dataset with behavioral tags. To our knowledge, we are the first to release datasets with malware platform, exploitation, and packer tags.

RJ Joyce (joyce8@umbc.edu) is a PhD student at UMBC under the supervision of Dr. Charles Nicholas and Dr. Edward Raff. Presently, RJ works as a data scientist at Booz Allen Hamilton performing research at the intersection of malware analysis and machine learning. RJ is also a visiting lecturer at UMBC and is teaching CMSC-426 Principles of Computer Security course this semester.

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: Oct. 20 (1-2pm) Josh Benaloh (Microsoft), ElectionGuard; Nov. 3, Jason Rheinhart (Sandia), Risk analysis; Nov. 17 (1-2pm) Austin Murdoch (Sixmap); Dec. 1, Enis Golaszewski (UMBC), Automatic cryptographic bindings; Jan. 16-19, 2024, UMBC SFS/CySP Research Study.

]]> The UMBC Cyber Defense Lab presents MalDICT: Benchmark Datasets on Malware Behaviors, Platforms, Exploitation, and Packers RJ Joyce,  CSEE Department, UMBC 12-1pm ET, Friday, 6 October... https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/135903/guest@my.umbc.edu/dae74886999cf28e98b8b45457d022a9/api/pixel antivirus cybersecurity dataset malware Computer Science and Electrical Engineering https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/csee https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/xsmall.png?1314043393 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/original.png?1314043393 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/xxlarge.png?1314043393 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/xlarge.png?1314043393 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/large.png?1314043393 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/medium.png?1314043393 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/small.png?1314043393 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/xsmall.png?1314043393 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/xxsmall.png?1314043393 UMBC Cyber Defense Lab 1 0 true Sun, 01 Oct 2023 14:30:22 -0400 Happy Mid-Autumn Harvest Festival! A Celebration of the Autumn Harvest

The Mid Autumn Festival is a harvest festival and holiday that takes place on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Lunar calendar. Predominately observed across Asian countries such as China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and many other ethnic Chinese communities. 


While celebrating the autumn harvest as a whole is a focus of this time of year, depending on which Asian culture and country you are focusing on, you will find different cultural traditions and beliefs such as an emphasis on the moon, gathering with family, and even honoring those who have passed. Across all of these countries, the importance of gathering with family and loved ones can be seen.


Each country has its own name or reference for the Mid Autumn Festival, here are some of them (for additional viewing, please see the attached photo): 



During the Mid Autumn Festival, you will find many people eating and gifting Mooncakes, a pastry filled with different rich flavors such as red bean or lotus. You may also find crescent-shaped rice cakes called Songpyeon (Korean) filled with either red bean, chestnuts, or even toasted sesame seeds. Similar to other holidays across the world, food plays an important aspect to many during the Mid Autumn Festival. 


To learn more about The Mid Autumn Festival across a couple of different cultures, check out the links below! 


Chuseok in Korea 

Tsukimi, The Moon Festival 

Hong Kong Celebration of The Mid Autumn Festival


Angelina, our Assistant Director of The Mosaic: Center for Cultural Diversity wishes all a Happy Mid Autumn Festival, and from her own culture and language: 추석잘보내세요! (Happy Chuseok)! 

]]> The Mid Autumn Festival is a harvest festival and holiday that takes place on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Lunar calendar. Predominately observed across Asian countries such as China,... Image https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/attachments/c125d4a43d9c91b72658cbf75b0613f9/6a022639/news/000/135/877/1b08dce51a8c1681b8d7f4b86cc9717b/Mid Autumn Harvest Festival.png?1696006375 https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/135877/guest@my.umbc.edu/2f3e7f5c0c8f8330a7d3e44926655021/api/pixel The Mosaic: Center for Cultural Diversity https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/themosaic https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/079/8da8369525d899e6fa49decd5a80b73f/xsmall.png?1755890395 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/079/8da8369525d899e6fa49decd5a80b73f/original.png?1755890395 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/079/8da8369525d899e6fa49decd5a80b73f/xxlarge.png?1755890395 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/079/8da8369525d899e6fa49decd5a80b73f/xlarge.png?1755890395 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/079/8da8369525d899e6fa49decd5a80b73f/large.png?1755890395 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/079/8da8369525d899e6fa49decd5a80b73f/medium.png?1755890395 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/079/8da8369525d899e6fa49decd5a80b73f/small.png?1755890395 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/079/8da8369525d899e6fa49decd5a80b73f/xsmall.png?1755890395 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/079/8da8369525d899e6fa49decd5a80b73f/xxsmall.png?1755890395 The Mosaic: Center for Cultural Diversity (i3b) https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/135/877/c553672841d91b92498945ab65b8d745/xxlarge.jpg?1696003943 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/135/877/c553672841d91b92498945ab65b8d745/xlarge.jpg?1696003943 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/135/877/c553672841d91b92498945ab65b8d745/large.jpg?1696003943 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/135/877/c553672841d91b92498945ab65b8d745/medium.jpg?1696003943 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/135/877/c553672841d91b92498945ab65b8d745/small.jpg?1696003943 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/135/877/c553672841d91b92498945ab65b8d745/xsmall.jpg?1696003943 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/135/877/c553672841d91b92498945ab65b8d745/xxsmall.jpg?1696003943 5 0 true Fri, 29 Sep 2023 12:58:49 -0400 The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships is Hiring!
The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships is hiring Front Office Assistants. We are looking for focused and detail-oriented undergraduate students to fill vacancies beginning November 13th. The position does require on campus availability.

This position will allow you to work on your communication and problem solving skills as well as provide great work experience. Students who are hired may continue with our office until they complete their undergraduate degrees.  

Front Office Assistants are an integral part of the Financial Aid Office. They assist thousands of students and families with questions on the financial aid process. No previous financial aid experience is required for consideration. 

For more information on the application requirements, and to apply, please complete the google form application by 4:00 PM on Thursday, October 12th.  Note that you will need to be signed into your myUMBC account in order to access the google form application. Any additional questions regarding the application should be sent to Natalie Smith, Financial Aid Services Coordinator at nasmith2@umbc.edu. 

Please note that this position is only available to current UMBC undergraduate students, that are U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents. Graduate students are not eligible.
]]> The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships is hiring Front Office Assistants. We are looking for focused and detail-oriented undergraduate students to fill vacancies beginning November 13th.... Flyer https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/attachments/18fe28f612ccf577f2155724e56b0ba3/6a022639/news/000/135/823/cfed8aa1c04a388fecd4c28ba09fa025/IMG_9743.jpg?1695845221 https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/135823/guest@my.umbc.edu/f257cd529a7f46d0c3a24fa1c87f5be6/api/pixel Commuter Connections https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/ocss https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/369/e9220286d22558b24422af119b418d0c/xsmall.png?1770828767 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/369/e9220286d22558b24422af119b418d0c/original.png?1770828767 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/369/e9220286d22558b24422af119b418d0c/xxlarge.png?1770828767 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/369/e9220286d22558b24422af119b418d0c/xlarge.png?1770828767 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/369/e9220286d22558b24422af119b418d0c/large.png?1770828767 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/369/e9220286d22558b24422af119b418d0c/medium.png?1770828767 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/369/e9220286d22558b24422af119b418d0c/small.png?1770828767 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/369/e9220286d22558b24422af119b418d0c/xsmall.png?1770828767 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/369/e9220286d22558b24422af119b418d0c/xxsmall.png?1770828767 Off-Campus Student Services https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/135/823/5d758ca49928f1a132d4355fc0d522fa/xxlarge.jpg?1695845234 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/135/823/5d758ca49928f1a132d4355fc0d522fa/xlarge.jpg?1695845234 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/135/823/5d758ca49928f1a132d4355fc0d522fa/large.jpg?1695845234 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/135/823/5d758ca49928f1a132d4355fc0d522fa/medium.jpg?1695845234 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/135/823/5d758ca49928f1a132d4355fc0d522fa/small.jpg?1695845234 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/135/823/5d758ca49928f1a132d4355fc0d522fa/xsmall.jpg?1695845234 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/135/823/5d758ca49928f1a132d4355fc0d522fa/xxsmall.jpg?1695845234 1 0 true Wed, 27 Sep 2023 16:09:45 -0400 talk: Community Detection in Multilayer Networks, 1-2pm 10/3
Community Detection in Multilayer Networks:
Algorithms and Applications

Prof. Selin Aviyente, Michigan State University

1-2pm Tue 3 October 2023, ITE 325b

Modern data analysis and processing tasks typically involve large sets of structured data, where the structure carries critical information about the nature of the data.  Typically, graphs are used as mathematical tools to describe the structure of such data. Traditional network models employ simple graphs where the nodes are connected to each other by a single, static edge.  However, in many contemporary applications, this relatively simple structure cannot capture the diverse nature of the networks, e.g., multiple types of entities and interactions between them. Multilayer networks (MLNs) allow one to represent the interactions between a pair of nodes through multiple types of links. MLNs can further be categorized based on the homogeneity of the nodes and complexity of topological structure as: i) multiplex networks where each layer has the same set of entities of the same type and inter-layer edges are not shown as they are implicit; ii) heterogenous multilayer networks where the set and types of entities may be different for each layer and the relationships of entities across layers are shown using explicit inter-layer edges. A core task in the complexity reduction of these high-dimensional networks is community detection. In this talk, a joint nonnegative matrix factorization approach is proposed to detect the community structure in both multiplex and multilayer networks. The proposed approach considers the heterogeneity of layers and formulates community detection as a regularized optimization problem. Applications of the proposed approach for social and biological networks will be highlighted.

Selin Aviyente received her B.S. degree with high honors in Electrical and Electronics engineering from Bogazici University, Istanbul. She received her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, both in Electrical Engineering: Systems, from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She joined the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Michigan State University in 2002, where she is currently a Professor and Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies. Her research focuses on statistical and nonstationary signal processing, higher-order data representations and network science with applications to neuronal signals. She has authored more than 150 peer-reviewed journal and conference papers. She is the recipient of a 2005 Withrow Teaching Excellence Award, a 2008 NSF CAREER Award and 2021 Withrow Excellence in Diversity Award. She is currently serving as the chair of IEEE Signal Processing Society Bioimaging and Signal Processing Technical Committee, on the Steering Committees of IEEE SPS Data Science Initiative and IEEE BRAIN. She has served as an Associate Editor and Senior Area Editor for IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing, IEEE Transactions on Signal and Information Processing over Networks, IEEE Open Journal of Signal Processing and Digital Signal Processing.

Host: Prof. Tulay Adali

 
]]> Community Detection in Multilayer Networks: Algorithms and Applications Prof. Selin Aviyente, Michigan State University 1-2pm Tue 3 October 2023, ITE 325b Modern data analysis and... https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/135813/guest@my.umbc.edu/2d7421ab49c73e50248b72e6c590e7b1/api/pixel Computer Science and Electrical Engineering https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/csee https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/xsmall.png?1314043393 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/original.png?1314043393 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/xxlarge.png?1314043393 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/xlarge.png?1314043393 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/large.png?1314043393 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/medium.png?1314043393 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/small.png?1314043393 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/xsmall.png?1314043393 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/xxsmall.png?1314043393 Computer Science and Electrical Engineering 0 0 true Wed, 27 Sep 2023 13:36:59 -0400 talk: Analysis of Session Binding Proxy Protocol, 12-1 9/29 Advantages and Dangers of Oblivious Protocol Participants

SBP protocol prevents session hijacking by binding application session to underlying network session

The UMBC Cyber Defense Lab presents

Formal-Methods Analysis of the Session Binding Proxy Protocol:
Advantages and Dangers of Oblivious Protocol Participants

 12-1:00 pm, Friday, 29 September 2023, via WebEx

Enis Golaszewski, PhD Student, CSEE, UMBC

Joint work with Alan T. Sherman, Edward Zieglar, and Kirellos Abou Elsaad

We present a formal-methods analysis of the Session Binding Proxy (SBP) protocol, in which we highlight the advantages and dangers of an oblivious protocol participant: an unaware web server residing behind an SBP reverse-proxy. We carry out our analysis using the Cryptographic Protocol Shapes Analyzer (CPSA) on three deployment variations of SBP: a server that embeds a proxy, a stand-alone proxy on a private network, and a stand-alone proxy on a public network. Our analysis reveals fundamental issues affecting oblivious protocol participants in a Dolev-Yao (DY) network: to mitigate adversarial protocol interactions, deployments of SBP must ensure that the server authenticate and communicate exclusively with a legitimate proxy by establishing a private communication channel, deploying mutual authentication such as mutual Transport Layer Security (mTLS), or embedding the proxy with the server.

Our work identifies benefits and risks of wrapper protocols such as SBP, which wrap existing legacy or third-party systems to mitigate known vulnerabilities. Additionally, we identify minimal requirements for cryptographic binding, a vital tool for resisting protocol interactions, implement a "tailgating" attack on SBP, and discuss the pitfalls of ad-hoc, overly constrained adversarial models.

About the Speaker. Enis Golaszewski (golaszewski@umbc.edu) is a computer science PhD student at UMBC working with Prof. Alan T. Sherman, where he studies, researches, and teaches cryptographic protocol analysis.

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.

]]> SBP protocol prevents session hijacking by binding application session to underlying network session The UMBC Cyber Defense Lab presents Formal-Methods Analysis of the Session Binding... https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/135790/guest@my.umbc.edu/f43d9419df494363831473d9c64dea63/api/pixel cyberseccurity Computer Science and Electrical Engineering https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/csee https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/xsmall.png?1314043393 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/original.png?1314043393 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/xxlarge.png?1314043393 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/xlarge.png?1314043393 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/large.png?1314043393 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/medium.png?1314043393 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/small.png?1314043393 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/xsmall.png?1314043393 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/099/d117dca133c64bf78a4b7696dd007189/xxsmall.png?1314043393 UMBC Cyber Defense Lab 0 0 true Tue, 26 Sep 2023 20:39:44 -0400 Intern of the Week: Varshini Rao Check out Varshini's internship!
Name: Varshini Rao

Pronouns: she/her

Semester of Internship: Summer 2023 

Major: Computer/Information Technology

Current Class Level: Master’s Student

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

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

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

Title of position: Summer intern in AMP-IT. Front-end developer and data analyst.

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:
During my internship, I was tasked with analyzing user usage patterns on a specific webpage, with the goal of enhancing the user experience through interface improvements. My day-to-day responsibilities primarily revolved around understanding user behavior, ideating potential UI changes, and implementing these improvements.

I started by collecting and analyzing data on how users interacted with the webpage, identifying pain points, and areas that needed improvement. I then brainstormed ideas to make the webpage more user-friendly, focusing on easier navigation and comfortable browsing, including efficient result filtering.

One of my key tasks was to create a mock-up presentation that showcased the proposed UI changes. To ensure that the changes would align with the needs of the end-users, I arranged meetings with both the IT and business teams. These teams were the primary users of the webpage, and their input was crucial in the decision-making process.

During these meetings, I presented my ideas and mock-ups, seeking feedback and insights from the teams. Through collaboration and open communication, we collectively shortlisted upgrades that resonated with both teams.

Once the changes were approved, I leveraged my front-end UI development skills to implement these modifications to the webpage. This phase involved coding in HTML, CSS, Javascript, and C# to bring the proposed improvements to life.

In summary, my internship experience was a dynamic process of data analysis, ideation, collaboration, and hands-on implementation. It provided me with a comprehensive understanding of user-centric design and the importance of bridging the gap between technical and business teams to create effective solutions.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
I looked through internship openings on numerous platforms until I found this one on the company's website, where I then submitted my application. They looked over my application and invited me in for an interview.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?
LinkedIn or other social media

What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?
What I've enjoyed most about my position and the organization is the opportunity to make a tangible impact. Being entrusted with the task of analyzing user habits and improving the webpage's interface has been incredibly rewarding. It's fulfilling to see how small changes can lead to a smoother and more enjoyable user experience.

Moreover, the collaborative environment within the organization has been a standout aspect. Working closely with both the IT and business teams allowed me to gain insights from diverse perspectives. The open exchange of ideas and feedback fostered a sense of camaraderie, making the entire process not only productive but also enjoyable.

Overall, the combination of meaningful work and a supportive organizational culture has made my internship experience both enriching and fulfilling.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
I believe I've made a meaningful impact through my work by enhancing the user experience of the webpage. By analyzing user habits and implementing user-friendly interface changes, I have contributed to making the web page more accessible and efficient for its users. This has likely led to increased user satisfaction, improved navigation, and a smoother browsing experience.

Moreover, by actively involving both the IT and business teams in the decision-making process, I've helped bridge the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders. This collaborative approach not only ensured that the changes met the actual needs of the end-users but also fostered better communication and understanding between different departments within the organization.

In summary, I believe my work has contributed to improving user satisfaction and facilitating effective cross-team collaboration, ultimately making a positive impact on the organization as a whole.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
I would offer the following advice to a fellow student seeking an internship or similar experience:
  • Start Early: Begin your internship search well in advance. Many organizations have application deadlines, and the competition can be fierce. Starting early allows you to explore a wider range of opportunities.
  • Research Thoroughly: Understand the industry and companies you're interested in. Research their culture, values, and the type of work they do. Tailor your applications to align with their specific needs and mission.
  • Build a Strong Resume and Cover Letter: Your resume and cover letter are your first impression. Make sure they are well-structured, highlight relevant skills and experiences, and are tailored to the internship you're applying for.
  • Stay Professional: Once you secure an internship, maintain professionalism. Be punctual, take initiative, communicate effectively, and seek opportunities to learn and contribute.
  • Be Open-Minded: Be open to internships that might not seem directly related to your major. Skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving are transferable and valuable in any field.

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.
Working with the Career Center was a game-changer for me. It's where I discovered the power of guidance and support in shaping my career path. The insights and resources they provided helped me land my dream internship, where I honed my skills and gained real-world experience. The best part was seeing how classroom learning seamlessly blended with hands-on work. It reaffirmed my belief that education meets its true purpose when it bridges the gap between theory and practice. My journey wouldn't have been this rewarding without the Career Center's unwavering assistance. They transformed ambition into achievement.

Do you want the chance to be the next Intern of the Week? Fill out this form to be considered!
]]> Name: Varshini Rao Pronouns: she/her Semester of Internship: Summer 2023  Major: Computer/Information Technology Current Class Level: Master’s Student This semester I completed... https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/135731/guest@my.umbc.edu/3d638e5e19e2c1c8b5e795b9cfede239/api/pixel computer-information-technology constellation-energy data-analyst developer intern intern-of-the-week internship Career Center https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/careers https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/018/729f2c7eeeab66f50f4ab3677539a585/xsmall.png?1411655278 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/018/729f2c7eeeab66f50f4ab3677539a585/original.jpg?1411655278 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/018/729f2c7eeeab66f50f4ab3677539a585/xxlarge.png?1411655278 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/018/729f2c7eeeab66f50f4ab3677539a585/xlarge.png?1411655278 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/018/729f2c7eeeab66f50f4ab3677539a585/large.png?1411655278 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/018/729f2c7eeeab66f50f4ab3677539a585/medium.png?1411655278 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/018/729f2c7eeeab66f50f4ab3677539a585/small.png?1411655278 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/018/729f2c7eeeab66f50f4ab3677539a585/xsmall.png?1411655278 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/018/729f2c7eeeab66f50f4ab3677539a585/xxsmall.png?1411655278 Career Center https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/135/731/693ba9a344f3e2a5be083e7a99f1ebee/xxlarge.jpg?1695659253 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/135/731/693ba9a344f3e2a5be083e7a99f1ebee/xlarge.jpg?1695659253 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/135/731/693ba9a344f3e2a5be083e7a99f1ebee/large.jpg?1695659253 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/135/731/693ba9a344f3e2a5be083e7a99f1ebee/medium.jpg?1695659253 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/135/731/693ba9a344f3e2a5be083e7a99f1ebee/small.jpg?1695659253 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/135/731/693ba9a344f3e2a5be083e7a99f1ebee/xsmall.jpg?1695659253 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/135/731/693ba9a344f3e2a5be083e7a99f1ebee/xxsmall.jpg?1695659253 2 0 true Mon, 25 Sep 2023 12:30:36 -0400 Between Women First meeting in a while! 

UMBC Women's Center welcomes back discussion-based group Between Women. First meeting will be taking place on Monday, September 25th at 4pm-5pm.

Description: Between Women is a discussion-based program that centers the experience of students who identify themselves on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum/femme.
]]> First meeting in a while!  UMBC Women's Center welcomes back discussion-based group Between Women. First meeting will be taking place on Monday, September 25th at 4pm-5pm. Description:... Flyer https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/attachments/7efbe7f08b1df850a82e91be1f95b18f/6a022639/news/000/135/640/9959e2d064c9367a9b4f9e650ba628f3/Light Peach Pastel International Women's Day Flyer.png?1695318962 https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/135640/guest@my.umbc.edu/3a0d340046007bf353f5939ea71abed4/api/pixel Women's, Gender, & Equity Center https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/womenscenter https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/125/78272a4842689b30dbf74672182b78f8/xsmall.png?1750974263 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/125/78272a4842689b30dbf74672182b78f8/original.png?1750974263 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/125/78272a4842689b30dbf74672182b78f8/xxlarge.png?1750974263 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/125/78272a4842689b30dbf74672182b78f8/xlarge.png?1750974263 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/125/78272a4842689b30dbf74672182b78f8/large.png?1750974263 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/125/78272a4842689b30dbf74672182b78f8/medium.png?1750974263 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/125/78272a4842689b30dbf74672182b78f8/small.png?1750974263 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/125/78272a4842689b30dbf74672182b78f8/xsmall.png?1750974263 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/125/78272a4842689b30dbf74672182b78f8/xxsmall.png?1750974263 Women's Center 0 0 true Sun, 24 Sep 2023 12:56:22 -0400 Upcoming Student Org Tabling Opportunity with OCSS Looking for new members? Sign up to table at our org fair!

Off-campus students, including transfers, commuters, adult learners, and veterans, often miss out on the benefits of being involved in on-campus student organizations. To help bridge this gap, Off-Campus Student Services is holding an Organization Fair on Wednesday, October 18th to bring student organizations together and give off-campus students an opportunity to meet and learn about your organizations. The aim is to spark their interest and encourage them to become more involved beyond academics.

If your organization is interested in participating in this event, please complete the form provided by 11:59 pm on September 30th. Further details will be provided once the form is submitted.

Event Information


https://forms.gle/kykEPsPo6C8grFrZ6
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September 15th to October 15th is National Hispanic Heritage Month. Throughout this time, i3b, UMBC and country celebrates the important contributions, heritage, and culture of all Hispanic and Latinos in the United States. 


Honoring our Hispanic/Latin(e/x) community and their influence on our country, we recognize culture and traditions that have shaped all of our communities. We impart to all at UMBC to partake in understanding and uplifting the stories, experiences, passions, love, and history of our Hispanic/Latin(e/x) community. Hispanic Heritage Month further celebrates the traditions, cultures, families, love, and service all Hispanic and Latin(e/x) folks. 


History of Hispanic Heritage Month

Beginning on September 15th, Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the anniversary of independence of the Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, dating back to 1968. Additionally, Mexico, Chile, and Belize also celebrate their independence days during this period with Día de la Raza on October 12th.


The term Hispanic, referring to the racial and ethnic groups of folks from hisphanophone (Spanish Speaking) countries, that were historically colonized by Spain. This term is inclusive to those of Spanish origin. The term Latino, excludes Spain, but includes non-Spanish speaking Latin American countries such as Belize, Brazil, Guyana, and Haiti. Some folks may have ethnic roots from Latin America, and may use either, neither, or both Hispanic and/or Latino.

In the month of September and October, i3b is partnering on events in celebration of our Hispanic/Latin(e/x) communities. 
Bachata / Salsa Night
Friday, September 29th in The Commons, Mainstreet in front of the bookstore, join us for Bachata / Salsa Night! Come join all of our partners to learn how to salsa and bachata. Don't know how to dance? That is completely alright! We will have an instructor and a local performance during the event. 


Want to learn more about events, exhibits, and other exciting experiences happening in the greater D.C. area? Click here. 
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Due to available funding, we are able to continue accepting applications from graduate and undergraduate students for the elite NSF CyberCorps: Scholarship For Service (SFS) Program. Applications will be reviewed and awards made on a rolling basis through 30 November so those interested are *strongly* encouraged to apply ASAP while funds are available.  Awards can be made for the current semester!

SFS funding includes full-time tuition, fees, annual stipends of $27,000 (undergrad) to $37,000 (graduate), and generous professional development funds for equipment, training, conferences, etc. After graduation, SFS Scholars must work for the US government in a cybersecurity role for each year of funding received. USA citizenship or permanent residency required - MINIMUM GPA of 3.00 needed.

Apply through Scholarship Retriever and get more information on this flyer.   
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