Workshop Title:

The Role of Machine Learning in Advancing Cyber Security

Date:

August 28th, 2023 (CDT)

Organizer:

ITM Department, Illinois Institute of Technology, USA

Keywords:

• Machine Learning
• Cybersecurity
• Threat Detection
• Vulnerability Management
• Data Preprocessing
• Model Training
• Deployment
• Ethics
• Legal Implications
• Collaboration

Workshop Chair:

Personal Bio:

Dr. Omar's Academic career has consistently focused on applied, industry-relevant cyber security, Data Analytics, machine learning, application of AI to cyber security and digital forensics research and education that delivers real-world results. He brings a unique combination of industry experience as well as teaching experience gained from teaching across different cultures and parts of the world. He has an established self-supporting program in machine learning application to cyber security. He has established a respectable research record in AI and cyber security exemplified in the dozens of published papers and book chapters that have gained recognition among researchers and practitioners (more than 272 Google scholar citations thus far). He is actively involved in graduate as well as undergraduate machine learning education including curriculum development and assessment.

Dr. Omar has recently published two books with Springer on Machine Learning and Cyber Security and has also published research with IEEE conference on Sematic Computing. Additionally, Dr. Omar holds numerous industry certifications including Comptia Sec+, ISACA CDPSE, EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker, and SANS Advanced Smartphone Forensics Analyst.

Dr. Omar has been very active and productive in both academia as well as the industry and he is currently serving as an associate professor of cyber security at Illinois Institute of Technology.

Workshop Description:

Background:

The field of cybersecurity has become increasingly important in recent years as the number and severity of cyber-attacks have risen. Traditional security measures such as firewalls, antivirus software, and intrusion detection systems are no longer sufficient to protect against sophisticated and targeted attacks. As a result, there has been a growing interest in the role of machine learning in advancing cybersecurity.

Machine learning is a subset of artificial intelligence that involves the use of algorithms and statistical models to enable computers to learn from data without being explicitly programmed. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the field of cybersecurity by enabling organizations to detect and respond to threats in real-time, as well as to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by attackers.

One of the main challenges in cybersecurity is the sheer volume of data that needs to be processed in order to detect and respond to threats. Traditional security tools are often unable to keep up with the vast amounts of data generated by modern networks, and as a result, many threats go undetected until it is too late. Machine learning algorithms, on the other hand, are designed to process large amounts of data quickly and efficiently, making them well-suited to the task of detecting and responding to cyber threats.

Another advantage of machine learning in cybersecurity is its ability to adapt to new and evolving threats. As attackers become more sophisticated and use new tactics and techniques, traditional security measures can quickly become outdated. Machine learning algorithms, however, are designed to learn from new data and adapt their behavior accordingly, allowing them to stay one step ahead of attackers.

There are a number of different machine learning techniques that can be applied to cybersecurity, including supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning. Supervised learning involves training a machine learning model on a set of labeled data in order to classify new data into different categories. Unsupervised learning, on the other hand, involves training a model on unlabeled data in order to identify patterns and anomalies. Reinforcement learning involves training a model to make decisions based on rewards and punishments, making it well-suited to tasks such as intrusion detection and threat response.

Despite the potential benefits of machine learning in cybersecurity, there are also a number of challenges and limitations that need to be considered. One of the main challenges is the potential for false positives and false negatives, which can lead to unnecessary alerts or missed threats. Another challenge is the potential for attackers to manipulate machine learning algorithms in order to evade detection or launch attacks.

In order to address these challenges and maximize the potential of machine learning in cybersecurity, it is important to have a comprehensive understanding of the technology and its capabilities. This includes understanding the different types of machine learning algorithms, as well as the best practices for training and deploying these algorithms in a cybersecurity context.

Overall, the role of machine learning in advancing cybersecurity is an important and rapidly evolving area of research. By leveraging the power of machine learning to process vast amounts of data and adapt to new threats, organizations can improve their ability to detect and respond to cyber-attacks, ultimately leading to a more secure and resilient digital landscape.

Goal/Rationale:

The goals of the workshop on the role of machine learning in advancing cybersecurity are to educate participants on the potential benefits and challenges of using machine learning in cybersecurity, as well as to provide practical guidance on how to effectively deploy and manage machine learning algorithms in a cybersecurity context.

The workshop aims to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the different types of machine learning algorithms that can be applied to cybersecurity, as well as the best practices for training, testing, and deploying these algorithms. This includes an overview of the latest research and techniques in the field, as well as practical examples and case studies.

In addition, the workshop aims to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing among participants from different backgrounds and disciplines, including cybersecurity professionals, data scientists, and machine learning experts. Through interactive discussions and hands-on exercises, participants will have the opportunity to share their experiences and learn from each other, ultimately leading to a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the role of machine learning in advancing cybersecurity.

Overall, the workshop aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills they need to effectively leverage the power of machine learning to improve their organization's cybersecurity posture and protect against emerging threats.

Scope and Information for Participants:

The scope of the workshop on the role of machine learning in advancing cybersecurity is broad, encompassing a range of topics related to the intersection of machine learning and cybersecurity. The workshop will cover a variety of machine learning techniques that can be applied to cybersecurity, including supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning. Participants will learn how these techniques can be used to detect and respond to cyber threats in real-time, as well as to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by attackers.

The workshop will also cover the practical considerations involved in deploying and managing machine learning algorithms in a cybersecurity context. This includes topics such as data collection and preprocessing, model training and validation, and deployment and monitoring. In addition, the workshop will address the ethical and legal implications of using machine learning in cybersecurity. Participants will learn about the potential risks and limitations of machine learning algorithms, as well as best practices for ensuring that these algorithms are used in a responsible and ethical manner.

Overall, the scope of the workshop is intended to be comprehensive, covering both theoretical and practical aspects of machine learning in cybersecurity. By providing a broad overview of the field, the workshop aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills they need to effectively leverage machine learning to enhance their organization's cybersecurity posture.

Highlights:

The workshop on the role of machine learning in advancing cybersecurity is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of how machine learning can be applied to enhance cybersecurity. The workshop covers a wide range of topics related to the intersection of machine learning and cybersecurity, including the various machine learning techniques that can be used to detect and respond to cyber threats, the practical considerations involved in deploying and managing machine learning algorithms in a cybersecurity context, and the ethical and legal implications of using machine learning in cybersecurity.

The workshop is structured to provide a mix of theoretical and practical instruction, with hands-on exercises and case studies designed to help participants develop a deeper understanding of the concepts being discussed. Participants will have the opportunity to collaborate with others from different backgrounds and disciplines, including cybersecurity professionals, data scientists, and machine learning experts, in order to gain a more nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by this rapidly evolving field.

Ultimately, the goal of the workshop is to equip participants with the knowledge and skills they need to effectively leverage machine learning to improve their organization's cybersecurity posture and protect against emerging threats. By providing practical guidance on the deployment and management of machine learning algorithms, as well as addressing ethical and legal considerations, the workshop aims to ensure that participants are well-prepared to take on the challenges of applying machine learning in a cybersecurity context.

Access to Workshop:

CONF-MLA 2023 Workshop -- Chicago - YouTube

Venue:

Illinois Institute of Technology, 10 W 35th St, Chicago, IL 60616

VISA:

U.S. Visas (state.gov)

In order to ensure the information is correct and up to date, there may be changes which we are not aware of. And different countries have different rules for the visa application. It is always a good idea to check the latest regulations in your country. This page just gives some general information of the visa application.

US Visa Information

The B-1/B-2 visitor visa is for people traveling to the United States temporarily for business (B-1) or for pleasure or medical treatment (B-2). Generally, the B-1 visa is for travelers consulting with business associates; attending scientific, educational, professional, or business conventions/conferences; settling an estate; or negotiating contracts. The B-2 visa is for travel that is recreational in nature, including tourism; visits with friends or relatives; medical treatment; and activities of a fraternal, social, or service nature. Often, the B-1 and B-2 visas are combined and issued as one visa: the B-1/B-2.

Application Items

If you apply for a business/tourist visa, you must pay your $160 application fee and submit the following:

• A Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) Form. Visit the DS-160 web page for more information about the DS-160.
• A passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions). If more than one person is included in your passport, each person desiring a visa must submit an application.
• One (1) 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) photograph taken within the last six months.
• If a visa is issued, there may be an additional visa issuance reciprocity fee, depending on your nationality.

In addition to these items, you must present an interview appointment letter confirming that you booked an appointment through this service. You may also bring whatever supporting documents you believe support the information provided to the consular officer.

Supporting Documents

• Invitation letter from business or school.
• Detailed CV or resume including a list of publications.
• Complete itinerary, including all meetings, conferences, and visits; include names, addresses, and telephone numbers of your hosts.
• For other materials, please refer to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website.

NOTICE:

Should your application be denied, the organizing committee cannot change the decision of visa officer, nor will CONF-MLA engage in discussion or correspondence with the visa application center on behalf of the applicant. The registration fee CANNOT be refunded when the VISA application of individual being denied.