Analysis of the Stuxnet Worm
Rescheduled from November
On Wednesday, 8 February 2012, Liam O Murchu of Symantec will discuss the analysis of the Stuxnet Worm.
Abstract
Stuxnet has gained a lot of attention from researchers and media recently. There is good reason for this. Stuxnet is one of the most complex computer threats that have been discovered.
Stuxnet is a threat that was primarily written to target an industrial control system or set of similar systems. Industrial control systems are used in gas pipelines and power plants. Its final goal is to reprogram industrial control systems (ICS) by modifying code on programmable logic controllers (PLCs) to make them work in a manner the attacker intended and to hide those changes from the operator of the equipment. In order to achieve this goal the creators amassed a vast array of components to increase their chances of success. This includes zero-day exploits, a Windows rootkit, the first ever PLC rootkit, antivirus evasion.
The Symantec Stuxnet Dossier is available at:
http://www.symantec.com/connect/blogs/updated-w32stuxnet-dossier-available
About the Speaker
Liam O Murchu is the manager of Security Response Operations for North America with Symantec. In this role he leads the team of malware reverse engineers and is constantly combating the latest malware attacks and dealing with cutting edge threats of all sorts. Liam has analyzed the majority of the high profile threats that have emerged in the last number of years, both documenting their actions and working with both private parties and law enforcement agencies to counter these threats. His research has been presented before the US congress and the British and EU Parliaments. As part of his research he has been credited with discovering several zero day vulnerabilities. Recently Liam has analyzed the Stuxnet worm which targeted Uranium enrichment plants in Iran.
When
Wednesday, 8 Febrary 2012. 6:30 PM pizza/networking, 7 PM presentation, Q&A
Where
Richter Auditorium, Ahmanson Science Center, California Lutheran University
E Pluribus, Unum: The Evolution of the Personal Computer’s Architecture
Filed under: Architecture, Computer, Events, Hardware
The evolution of the architecture of the personal computer began with a centralized processing capability surrounded by an array of specialized intelligent agents. The data processed by each subsystem contributed to a greater whole, and the CPU made sense of the aggregated hardware. Over time, more work migrated into the central processor which lowered part counts but increased power consumption. This presentation takes a detailed look at the history of the personal computer, the development of real and de facto standards, and assesses the benefits and mistakes made along the way.
About the Speaker
When
- Wed, 12 Oct 2011, 6:30 pm pizza/networking, 7pm presentation, Q&A
Where
- Nygreen 106, California Lutheran University
Low-Cost Cloud Computing for Fun and Profit
Filed under: Computer, Computing, IEEE Societies, infrastructure
Large scale cloud computing services can be pricey and hard to get (or use!) for small business or personal use. Using open-source tools and low-cost web hosting providers, many applications and services that are as good or better than the big guys can be had for only a few dollars a month. This talk discusses what’s available, what to look for in a “cloud” hosting provider, and how to take advantage of these services for personal and business use.
About the Speaker
Karl Geiger has worked in the software, IT, and the ‘Net/Web for 30 years. He retired from his role as Director of Enterprise Architecture at Amgen in 2007 and has been working with small start-ups. Karl is the current Chair of the IEEE Buenaventura Section and the Vice-Chair of the IEEE Buenaventura Computer Society chapter,and a Senior Member of the IEEE.
Where:
-
Nygreen Hall, Room 106
California Lutheran University
60 W. Olsen Rd, Thousand Oaks
When:
-
6:30pm pizza, networking, 7pm presentation, Wed 14 Sep. 2011
Register
Presentation now online:
- Cheap Cloud Hosting for Fun and Profit (PDF, 1.04 MB)
Trends in Tiered Storage Management
Filed under: Communications, Computer, Data Management, Events, infrastructure, storage management
Wed. evening 13 July, Lawrence Sachartoff, Oracle Corp., presents current trends in storage technologies and their role in Tiered Storage Management solutions.
This is a joint meeting with the IEEE Buenaventura Communications Society chapter.
About the Speaker
Lawrence Sachartoff is a high-tech professional with over thirty years of experience. Starting as an avionics tech in the U.S. Air Force (back in the dark days of analogue electronics), Lawrence has built a career in IT technology working with manufacturers and end users such as Intel, Dell, Hughes Space and Communications, Arco and Countrywide. Lawrence is highly experienced with technologies used in the datacenter; servers, storage, backup, preservation and archiving are specialties Lawrence covers in his current role as a Storage Architect with Oracle Corporation.
Where:
- Richter Hall, Ahmanson Science Center, CLU, 60 W. Olsen Rd, Thousand Oaks
When:
- 6:30pm refreshments, networking; 7pm presentation and discussion
RSVP:
DreamWorks Animation
On Wednesday, June 8, Dr. Saty Raghavachary of DreamWorks Animation returns to show us how studios make computer-animated movies. Since last year’s talk, DreamWorks has released “Megamind” and “Kung Fu Panda 2″. Come hear what it takes to put these projects out!
About the Speaker
Saty joined DreamWorks in 1996, where he is now Senior Training Specialist. His film credits include “Kung Fu Panda 2″, “Megamind”, “Shrek Forever After”, “How to Train Your Dragon”, “Monsters vs Aliens”, “Madagascar”, “Madagascar 2?, “Kung Fu Panda”, “Bee Movie”, ”Flushed Away”, “Over the Hedge”, “Shark Tale”, “Shrek 2?, “Shrek 3?, “Sinbad”, “Spirit”, “The Road to El Dorado”, and “The Prince of Egypt”.
Saty is a part-time instructor at the University of Southern California and also teaches at Gnomon School of Visual Effects and TD College. He is the author of Rendering for Beginners: Image synthesis using RenderMan and a co-author of The RenderMan Shading Language Guide. Prior to joining DreamWorks he was Software Manager at MetroLight Studios. He holds three MS degrees and a PhD from The Ohio State University. He has a B.Tech degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, and is a member of Association for Computing Machinery, the IEEE Computer Society, and American Mensa.
RSVP: http://meetings.vtools.ieee.org/meeting_view/list_meeting/7067 or events@ieee-bv-cs.org
IEEE Computer- IEEE Spectrum
- Super Bowl XLVI: Know Your Yellow Line 2012/02/03
- Geek Spotting For Super Bowl Ad-Watchers 2012/02/03
- UK Reveals Plans for Becoming “Graphene Hub” 2012/02/03
- Tokyo Stock Exchange Has Trouble with Servers 2012/02/03
- Reinventing the Lecture 2012/02/03
Chapter Info
Buenaventura Section
Chapter C16 Location R6 01 09
Regular Meeting Info
Meets evenings, 2nd Wed of the month. See link above for meeting info.