Computer security expert to speak at MSU Tuesday

Contact: Phil Hearn

STARKVILLE, Miss.--The chief technologist for one of the world's largest computer service companies will discuss ways to protect local networks from Internet attacks during a visit to the Mississippi State campus Tuesday [April 12].

Jack Murphy, a well-known computer security scientist with EDS U.S. Government Solutions, will speak from 9:30-10:45 a.m. in Room 100 of Butler Hall, home of the department of computer science and engineering. The public presentation is sponsored by the university's Center for Computer Security.

Center director Ray Vaughn said Murphy's topic will be "Architecting a DMZ/IPN." DMZ is an abbreviation for demilitarized zone; IPN, Information Protection Network.

"They are networks of protection you place between your network and the Internet for protection against attacks," the MSU computer science professor explained. "It is a buffer and contains security devices like firewalls, intrusion detection gear, etc."

Murphy is a former military officer and associate professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy. He also is an EDS Fellow, a title awarded for exceptional achievements by the corporation's most innovative leaders.

Herndon, Va.-based EDS has an international staff of 117,000 and generated more than $20 billion in revenue in 2004.

Murphy leads an enterprise technology consulting team responsible for all security architecture for EDS operations worldwide, as well as for the federal Department of Energy and Small Business Administration. He holds a doctorate in computer science from the University of Maryland at College Park.

"He is responsible for assisting EDS customers in the design and development of secure architecture, and has written extensively on this topic," said Vaughn.

NEWS EDITORS/DIRECTORS: For more information, contact Dr. Vaughn at (662) 325-7450 or vaughn@cse.msstate.edu.