Tag Archive for: faculty

School of Diplomacy Welcomes New Faculty

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Dr. Brandon Valeriano

Dr. Brandon Valeriano

The School of Diplomacy is excited to welcome two new professors to join starting
for the Fall 2023 semester. Both Dr. Brandon Valeriano and Dr. Brendan Balestrieri
bring a surplus of experience in all matters of international relations, with a particular
emphasis on the role of the military and the importance of homeland security in the
world of diplomacy. The School looks forward to the continued opportunities to expand
student learning with our new professors.

Brendan Balestrieri, Ph.D. – Professor of Practice

Dr. Brendan Balestrieri will join the School of Diplomacy and International Relations
as a Professor of Practice starting Fall 2023. As a native of New York, he is excited
to be joining a school with an excellent reputation and moving a little closer to
home. For the past 18 years, Dr. Balestrieri has served as an officer in the United
States Army, stationed primarily in South Korea. With master’s degrees in International
Studies from Korea University and Public and Media Relations from Johns Hopkins University,
and his Ph.D. from Korea University, Dr. Balestrieri primarily researches the intersection
between the military, international relations, and policy.

As part of his new role, Dr. Balestrieri will help develop the new International and
Homeland Security B.S. program, focusing on a comparative approach. The course will
examine different approaches…

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LSU Computer Science Faculty Furthering Research Into Smartphone Security

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BATON ROUGE, La., March 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Every day, smartphone users utilize biometric data like their fingerprint, facial ID, PIN number, and/or voice recognition to unlock their devices. They also use such data to login to apps, make online purchases, pay bills, etc.

But what if that information could be duplicated and reused? Because such biometrics are static and unchanged, once they are leaked, they would never be secure to use for future authentication.

That dilemma is at the heart of LSU Computer Science Assistant Professor Chen Wang’s developing research into hand gripping as a verification method. Last year, with the help of a grant from the Louisiana Board of Regents, Wang’s research focused on notification privacy and using a smartphone’s own musical sounds/vibrations during notification for verification. This time around, and with the backing of a National Science Foundation grant of more than $470,000, his focus has expanded to include a variety of smartphone functions, as well as notification privacy.

“This research focuses on addressing two long-standing issues in mobile device authentication, obtrusiveness and replay threats,” Wang said. “The aim is to reduce the user effort involved in authentication so that they can handle in-situation privacy provisions and to make biometric data not reusable so that an adversary cannot replay your biometrics to spoof your identity.

“The current 3D scanning and printing technologies can forge your fingers, hands, and face. Besides, if the transmission and the storage of your biometric data are not carefully secured, such data could be leaked and reused by an adversary. The biometric data required [for authentication] is all static and never changed. This means that if the biometric data is leaked, an adversary can reuse it to access your device and online accounts.”

So, how does using one’s hand grip for authentication work? When authentication is requested, the smartphone sends barely inaudible ultrasounds encoded into multiple narrow frequency bands within 17-22 KHz. This encoded acoustic signal propagates on the phone’s surface and is absorbed and reflected by the user’s hand. Because of the hand’s unique biometric…

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Cybersecurity Focus: 10 Security Tips for Students, Faculty and Staff

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Know how to protect your identity and data with these cybersecurity tips.

Art Miller

Know how to protect your identity and data with these cybersecurity tips.

Most cyberattacks can be prevented if you are mindful of actions and potential risks. 

  1. Be alert. Think twice before clicking links, opening attachments, visiting websites or responding to unsolicited emails or phone calls.  

  1. Learn how to identify phishing attempts. Be suspicious of emails or calls that require “immediate action” or ask for personal information. Hover over links to make sure they point to a reputable site before clicking. Report suspicious emails using Outlook’s “Report Message” feature. 

  1. Use multifactor authentication. The university requires multi-factor authentication to access resources such as UARK email and Workday. Consider adding this same protection to personal email or social media accounts for an extra layer of security.  

  1. Create strong passwords. Make a lengthy password using a combination of character types. Use unique passwords for each account, and consider using a password manager to store your passwords. Also, never share your password with anyone. 

  1. Secure your device. Never leave your devices unattended. Password protect your phone or tablet and log off or lock your computer every time you step away. 

  1. Keep software up to date. Keep your devices updated, and regularly restart all devices to give them a chance to complete the update process. 

  1. Limit activities on public Wi-Fi. On campus, always connect to the UARK Wi-Fi network, never UARK Guest. When off campus or traveling, use a virtual private network (VPN) to get secure internet access. If you must use a public network without VPN, refrain from accessing sensitive information, such as Workday. 

  1. Secure your data. Use OneDrive to ensure your data is secure and backed up. Be mindful of how you share files by setting shared links to expire…

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Trident University International Welcomes New Homeland Security Faculty Member

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Dr. Franklin Ammerman has been elevated to a Full-time Professor in Trident’s College of Health and Human Services. He joined Trident as an adjunct instructor in 2013 and has an extensive background in criminal justice, including 26 years at the FBI.

CHANDLER, Ariz., Nov. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Dr. Franklin Ammerman has joined Trident University International’s (Trident) College of Health and Human Services as a Full-time Professor. In this role he will teach and develop courses in homeland security, emergency and disaster management, and criminal justice.

Dr. Ammerman joined Trident in 2013 as an adjunct instructor in the Homeland Security Department. He has taught courses such as Domestic Terrorism and Cybersecurity, Cyberterrorism and Cyber Warfare, and Cyber Threat Intelligence, as well as the Capstone Project in Homeland Security.

Previously, Dr. Ammerman served for 26 years as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). During his time with the FBI, he handled issues relating to homeland security and counterterrorism, as well as general criminal cases.

He also spent three years as a homeland security instructor at the FBI Academy in Virginia where he served as a subject matter expert in national security strategies, racially-motivated violent extremism, radicalization and mobilization to violence, and anti-government violent extremism.

“Trident’s students will benefit from Dr. Ammerman’s ability to bring his military, criminal justice, and academic experiences to life in the courses he teaches,” states Dr. Patricia Rhynders, Interim Dean, Trident’s College of Health and Human Services.

Prior to his work at the FBI, Dr. Ammerman served in the U.S. Armed Forces for nine years.

Dr. Ammerman holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration, with specializations in homeland security policy and leadership, from Northcentral University in Arizona. He earned a Master of Public Administration from Troy State University in Alabama, and a Bachelor of Science in Police Administration from Eastern Kentucky University.

About Trident University International
Founded in 1998, Trident University International is a member of the American InterContinental University…

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