In 2003, computer viruses and worms were responsible for more than $28 billion in economic losses, and that number will likely exceed $75 billion by 2007. Yet the devastating damage inflicted by acute computer infections causes far greater problems than simple monetary loss. Due to a lack of information security, Social Security numbers are stolen, private records are manipulated, and bank accounts are compromised – all of which plagues information security systems and violates the welfare of individuals.

Yan Chen

Unfortunately, most engineering schools at top-tier universities don’t provide adequate training for tomorrow’s information technology (IT) professionals – those who will be on the front lines of the battle against hackers. Thanks to Yan Chen, assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science, and funding from the Walter P. Murphy Society, however, McCormick is preparing students for real-world IT problems.

“We do much better than most peer institutions, because Northwestern is a well-funded, elite university,” says Chen. “Before I came here, there was a gap in our curricular offerings because we didn't have an information security course sequence. Now, the Murphy Society Grant allows us to prepare students for what they will face when they leave Northwestern.”

According to Chen, students can’t afford to be complacent about worms, viruses and other threats to information security – and neither can universities. “Internet attacks are increasing in frequency, severity and sophistication, so it’s really critical that universities convey the importance of information security to their students,” he says.

The Information and Communication Security Curriculum Development Program was developed by Chen and funded by a Murphy Society Grant. Already, it has been well received by McCormick students, and Chen plans to maximize its interdisciplinary impact by opening the door to other students.

Chen and Moles

“Computer Security is a relatively new field and many of the concepts that form its groundwork are being challenged or expanded on a continual basis,” says Justin Moles, a McCormick student who benefited from the program introduced by Chen. “The format of the class allows students the chance to see how the field is developing as well as form their own personal opinions about where it is going. I would strongly recommend that anyone interested in computer technology take these courses.”

“We really want to have a basic class that is taught in plain language,” adds Chen, who has received national and international attention for his focus on information security, including a prestigious Department of Engineering grant and a computing curriculum award from Microsoft. “Information security is not just for the engineers who are solving the IT problems; it’s for all professionals who run into security problems – especially business owners and those who are in charge of healthcare operations.”

Nevertheless, there is an increasing need for security specialists, making Chen’s program all the more relevant. The number of “full-time information security professionals will rise almost 14 percent per year around the world, going past 2.1 million in 2008,” he says. “There has been an explosion of concern in information security over the past decade, so we’re trying to make sure students understand the issues.”

Give online or contact Roger Williams, the McCormick Director of Development, at r-williams7@northwestern.edu or (847) 491-4190 to find out more about how you can support engineering professors like Yan Chen.