On Tuesday, March 12, the Strauss Center’s Applied Cybersecurity Community Clinic took part in the multi-day Compiler’s Austin Pop-Up. Compiler, a new nonprofit global tech policy publication, took over Women & Their Work gallery in Austin to present a specially curated show of Eric Pickersgill’s “Removed” series–talks from The University of Texas at Austin’s Strauss Center, Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies, and Global Disinformation Lab. 

Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from March 12-14, Compiler’s Austin Pop-Up provided a place to gather, connect, reflect and unwind during SXSW in one of the city’s most important and interesting galleries. The live hacking demo took place from 11:00 am – 12:30 pm on March 12.

This was followed by a live podcast recording session and lightening talks. The day ended with a happy hour and an artist’s talk.

Designed by the UT Austin Information Systems & Security Society and hosted by the Applied Cybersecurity Community Clinic at Strauss Center, this challenge was designed for cybersecurity beginners who want to develop a solid understanding of how and why individuals and organizations of all sizes should follow fundamental security principles and practices.

Spectators observed student cybersecurity experts exploit common security issues that all too often result from neglecting basic cyber hygiene practices and learn best practices to protect yourself and your organization from the same vulnerabilities.

Agenda

10:00 am – 6:00 pm: Eric Pickersgill’s Removed exhibit

11:00 am – 12:30 pm: Live Hacking Demo hosted by the Strauss Center’s Applied Cybersecurity Community Clinic

1:00 – 2:00 pm: Live Podcast Recording hosted by UT Austin’s Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies’ SlavX Connexions Podcast

2:00 – 3:00 pm: Lightening Talks hosted by UT Austin’s Global Disinformation Lab

3:00 – 5:00 pm: Happy Hour and Artist’s Talk with Eric Pickersgill

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About the Clinic

The UT Austin Applied Cybersecurity Community Clinic and two-course sequence is the fruit of discussions with the Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s Cybersecurity Advisory Board, the City of Austin, and UT’s Robert Strauss Center for International Security and Law, all of which were interested in providing students with hands-on cybersecurity experience while also providing pro bono services to community organizations and small businesses that cannot afford such services on their own.   

The Applied Cybersecurity Community Clinic consists of two, 3-credit hour courses hosted by the UT Austin School of Information. During the first semester course “Applied Cybersecurity Foundations,” students learn key cybersecurity defense concepts and skills, including vulnerability assessment, network configuration and security, access controls, authorization techniques, responding to a cyberattack, and penetration testing, as well as associated skills required to implement these abilities effectively in a real business or non-profit institutional setting.   

Students then deploy these skills, under supervision, in a real world setting in the second semester course “Applied Cybersecurity Clinic Practicum,” thereby gaining invaluable practical experience.  The clients, for their part, get the benefit of a substantially improved defensive posture.  

The course is taught and supervised by Professor Lockhart. Application process through the Strauss Center and the ability to make a two-semester commitment is required for registration. No prior experience or knowledge required.   

More information is available here.

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