John M. D. Hill

Using an isolated network laboratory to teach advanced networks and security

This paper discusses the use of an isolated network laboratory to teach computer security using persistent cooperative groups and an active learning approach. Computer security and computer security education are areas of increasing importance as computer systems become more interconnected. When offered, undergraduate and graduate computer security courses are routinely taught using a traditional lecture format. If the course includes a class project, the class project is limited in scope and constitutes a relatively small portion of the students grade. This paper examines a different approach in which the class project is the dominant factor in the students grade. The students work in persistent cooperative teams as either a black or gold team. Black teams attempt to break into other black team computers or attack the gold team. The gold team operates Windows NT, LINUX, and Solaris-based servers and attempts to defend their servers and role-play system administrators. The entire exercise takes place in an isolated lab so as to separate student class activities from the rest of the departmental intranet. Four years of experience running the class with this format suggests that the use of persistent cooperative groups and active learning are effective approaches for teaching network security and are preferred over a lecture-based course.

Anticipatory Planning Support System

A novel approach to military planning and execution is proposed. This approach seeks to merge planning and execution, and replaces reaction to events with anticipation of events. The paper presents a methodology for building an automated system to support anticipatory planning. A plan description is developed to manage the many tree-like branches that occur in planning and execution of an operation. A planning executive can use the differences between the plan and the actual operation to control the activities of planners and execution monitors in anticipating future branches to the plan. At the heart of the system are inference mechanisms for determining branches in the plan and simulations for predicting future states. This methodology enables the development of a prototype Anticipatory Planning Support System for evaluation of this new approach to military planning and execution. This paper concentrates on the activities of the execution monitors and their use of simulation to support those activities.

Anticipatory planning in information operations

The doctrinal definition of information operations (IO) focuses exclusively on offensive and defensive activities. The paper proposes extending the definition of IO to include information efficacy, then describes a new approach to military planning and execution called anticipatory planning. This approach seeks to merge planning and execution, and replaces reaction to events with anticipation of events, making more effective use of the information that is available during the conduct of military operations. The paper presents a methodology for the development of a prototype decision support system (DSS) for military decision makers, called the Anticipatory Planning Support System (APSS). This DSS facilitates in-depth analysis of the voluminous data that is available to military decision makers during the course of operations. The paper concludes with an example of the application of anticipatory planning to intrusion response operations.

Emerging curriculum issues in digital libraries

This paper examines the issues arising in curriculum development and implementation with the advent of digital libraries. Digital libraries can provide effective support in the curriculum areas of presentation, exploration of material, and assessment. Support from digital libraries will aid educators in development of the curriculum. The improved curriculum will provide students with clearer presentations, more focused exploration of the material, and integrated assessments. Issues in digital library support of curriculum development include ways to address the needs of different users, the importance of complexity management, the requirements for digital libraries, the difference in student capabilities, and the emergence of national-level digital libraries. Digital library support for curriculums is an area of active research and one that is likely to be a significant factor in the ongoing transformation of the education process worldwide.