University of Tulsa delves into data research

BYLINE: Kirby Lee Davis

The University of Tulsa launched a research arm Monday focusing on electronic data issues.

Called the Institute for Information Security, or "iSec" for short, the program will tap the university's existing resources in computer science, electrical and mechanical engineering. Partnering with industry and government agencies, the institute will tackle a wide variety of digital issues emerging from both sectors.

An executive director for iSec will be named later.

The potential market is substantial. Created in 1996, the TU Center for Information Security has attracted more than $23 million in research grants and other funds since 2000. Several Tulsa companies have sprouted from its research.

iSec also targets areas of growing international concern, from digital forensics to cyber-hackers to electronic terrorism.

Tom Walker, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the technology commercialization center i2E, said forming iSec will further help TU become a dominant player in the sector.

"This type of initiative is critical to the economic development of the high-tech sector in Oklahoma and the region," he said. "I think the global impact of iSec could be huge. "

By advancing the information security field through research discoveries, university officials said iSec would help students gain private-sector experience and the chance to profit from their work.

"iSec is a key element of the college's strategic plan and one of TU's most notable areas of study," said Steve Bellovich, dean of the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences.

This initiative builds on programs TU has fostered through relationships with the National Science Foundation, the National Security Agency, the Department of Defense Cyber Corps scholarship program, and others. The University of Tulsa claims a national leadership role in full compliance with federal information security standards, meeting the highest ones for all six cyber-security training certificates.

The very nature of such work means few of the TU Center for Information Security programs garnered high public awareness. Even so, the school has produced many top professionals, including 61 graduates last year.  

Perhaps more important to the Tulsa economy, several companies emerged from its research halls, including Digital Forensic Professionals, Digital Enterprise Security Associates, and Meketrex Technologies. Those companies not only employ TU graduates but also students as interns.

University officials expect iSec to build on that success.

"The development of public-private partnerships will be central to iSec's operations and provide additional opportunities for our students and faculty to engage in leading-edge discoveries," Bellovich said.