The College of Business and Information Technology at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield has established a new high-performance computer lab for use in several of the college’s programs, including cybersecurity and finance.
“This new, state-of-the-art computer lab will further increase the quality of the academic experience within the college,” says Bahman Mirshab, dean of LTU’s CoBIT. “The lab greatly enhances the ability of the college to educate and train students to meet the fast-growing demands in the field of business and information technology, particularly cybersecurity.”
The new laboratory, located in LTU’s Buell Building, will be used for undergraduate and graduate CoBIT classes in data science, cybersecurity, networking, and finance and investing. Currently, due to COVID-19 restrictions, only one class is being taught there — Ethical Hacking, an upper-level undergraduate course that teaches students how to think like hackers in preparation for cybersecurity careers.
Fast-moving developments and constantly evolving cybersecurity threats require a comprehensive readiness plan. Using the lab, LTU students will learn how to apply cybersecurity techniques and tools to manage risks, along with learning digital forensics, network security, and incident response. Also, through the resources of the lab, students will be able to prepare for the examination for the Certified Information Systems Security Professional designation
They also will supply CoBIT students with real-time data in market indices, treasury security prices, foreign exchange rates, and stock quotations. Through specialized software, students can access current and historical information on stocks, bonds, foreign currencies, derivatives, and other financial instruments, in addition to news and market analysis.
The lab was established through a gift from Javad Mokhbery, a native of Iran who left his home country to study in England at age 19, and made his way to Lawrence Tech in 1974. He worked his way through school as an ice cream truck driver in Detroit. After graduating from LTU with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering in 1979, he worked for sensor companies in Detroit and California before founding FUTEK Advanced Sensor Technology Inc. in 1988 in Irvine, Calif. Sensors made by his firm are used in a variety of applications in the medical, aerospace, and automation industries — including sensors on the NASA Mars rover Curiosity.
“The newly built lab is equipped with state-of-the-art computers, routers, switches, and firewalls, among other devices,” says Zahraddenn Gwarzo, professor of information technology at LTU. “The computers are equipped with a wide range of tools, applications, and virtual machines useful for students in ethical hacking and cybersecurity courses. The lab will give students hands-on learning experience to simulate attacks and techniques used by hackers to gain access into target computers and networks. Learning these techniques will prepare students for cybersecurity industry jobs to help organizations ensure security by identifying vulnerabilities in their networks, computers, and applications. Students will also have hands-on activities in computer networking that will prepare them for industry jobs in computer network administration.”
Since the lab deals with issues of hacking and intrusion, it won’t be connected to LTU’s extensive computer network.
LTU has long been a leader in providing the latest technology to its students. In 2000, LTU pioneered giving all full-time undergraduate students a high-end laptop with all the real-world software they need to learn for their careers. The university was also among the first in the country with a campus-wide wireless network and was among the first to get email service in the early 1980s.
