08/09, Drs. Lakhotia and Walenstein receive DoD grant.

Dr. Arun Lakhotia, Professor of Computer Science in the Center for Advanced Computer Studies, and Dr. Andrew Walenstein, Assistant Professor of Computer Science in the Computer Science Department, have been awarded $789,989 by the US Department of Defense (DoD) for their project titled “Obfuscation and Deobfuscation of Intent in Computer Programs.” The award, resulting from a merit competition conducted by the DoD research and engineering directorate, is one of 28 grants across 14 states awarded by DoD as part of the 2009 Defense Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR) http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=12879. In this project UL Lafayette researchers will collaborate with Dr. Vir Phoha of Louisiana Technical University, Ruston, LA, and Dr. Bin Mai of Bowie State University, Bowie, MD.

In this three years project, overseen by Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), the researchers will develop a theoretical framework for formalizing obfuscation and deobfuscation in cyberwarfare, and matching methods for analyzing analyzing attack and defense posture and games, and to discover specific obfuscation and deobfuscation techniques to support the strategies with the optimal outcome. The insights gained from this research may lead to the development of better technologies for defending against cyberattacks. It will also enhanve the research and engineering capability of the participating academic institution and the State.