My proposal for a peer-to-peer discussion on “Gathering and Applying Meaningful Security Metrics” at this year’s RSA Conference in San Francisco was accepted. This means I will facilitate a discussion a peer-to-peer group discussion on the topic (P2P-201B), on Wednesday, February 16th at 8:30 AM. Security metrics are somewhat subjective, but I feel that the more data we can gather, the more we can do. Sounds obvious, but very few security programs are based on objective data. This will be an opportunity for conference participants to share their experiences and learn from experts in the field.

What? 2nd Annual FIRST LEGO League Regional Qualifier
When? Saturday, December 11, 2010 (8am-4pm)
Where? Putnam Museum, 1717 W. 12th Street, Davenport, Iowa

Join us for the second annual, QCESC Co-Sponsored, FIRST Lego League Regionals at the Putnam Museum, in Davenport! This is a great event and we expect about 300 people at the museum tomorrow. [map]

Follow this link, or click on the icon above to view an excellent video prepared by The Cyber Security Forum Initiative group on the threat posed by Stuxnet. For those of you unfamiliar with Stuxnet, it is a computer worm believed to have been developed in Belarus, which is designed to reprogram SCADA controls. These PCLs are used to control sensitive systems for utilities and other industrial systems, many of which are considered critical infrastructure. Stuxnet has raised the bar on cyber warfare, and confirmed that nation-states are actively using computer attacks against each other. The systems affected, appeared to have been nuclear systems in Iran, but similar attacks could, and probably are being used against other nations and industries, for the purposes of offensive cyber-warfare and industrial espionage.

2010 Iowa Moms Night Out

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Event Purpose: A fun night that will inspire and educate moms/parents about the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education and the vital role they play with their children.
*Note: Free childcare (ages 2 and up) will be provided with advanced registration Read More

National Science & Engineering Festival
October 10-24, 2010

We are in the middle of the National Science & Engineering Festival, October 10-24, 2010. As a part of that, and as a science educator, I encourage everyone to find, volunteer for or sponsor science and engineering related events. Don’t feel discouraged that October is flying by so fast; try to find opportunities to participate in science events, even after this festival ends! This is a nationally sponsored activity, to raise awareness, but enthusiasm about science and engineering should continue, year-round!

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM), and the theme this year is, “Our Shared Responsibility”. If you are part of the cyber security industry, or someone with knowledge to share, this is a good time to raise the topic of computer security. Visit the link above, by clicking on the NCSAM image.

When? Saturday, July 17 – Beginning at sunset
Where? Wapsi River Environmental Center outside Dixon, Iowa

Free and open to the public On-site 12- and 14-inch telescopes will be available at the St. Ambrose S. G. Menke Observatory for sky viewing; visitors are welcome to bring smaller telescopes as well. For more information, contact Dr. Robert Mitchell at 563/333-6141. On the day of the event, the same number may be called for a recorded message that will either confirm the event or report a weather-related cancellation. For directions to the observatory, go to web.sau.edu and search for “Menke.”

I’ve added a new blog to update Region 4 IEEE members about various webinars, training, lifelong learning opportunities and other IEEE educational activities. Check it out!

IEEE Region 4 Educational Activities Blog